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Best Practices for Custodial Care in the Acute Care Setting
On rare occasion, a patient presents to the emergency department without the acute care needs that would warrant hospital admission or observation services. Unfortunately, the patient cannot safely return to their prior disposition, which presents a challenge for the patient and the hospital. Here are a few steps providers can take to best manage these…
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Look Beyond the Treatment to Quality of Life
I recently had the privilege of attending a conference in Miami on Targeted Temperature Management (TTM), more commonly known as ‘Therapeutic Hypothermia.’ The lively discussions enjoyed at the conference had me reflecting on what it means to care for our patients and how that care relates to quality of life.
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Managing Waits for Hospitalized Patients
Being a patient in the hospital can be a stressful ordeal. When a patient experiences long waits for their provider to visit them, delays for procedures, or anticipation of test results, it can create a great deal of angst. I’m sharing a few techniques providers can incorporate to manage the patient’s hospital experience.
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Motherhood, Medicine, and Resilience
I am a physician, leader, and a writer, but four months ago, I was presented with my most rewarding, yet challenging, title to date: mother. While I was pregnant, I had formulated a plan for childcare that would complement my career goals, but that quickly went out the window once my daughter arrived. Luckily, I…
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Beyond the Bedside – Opening New Operational Roles for Nurses
At Sound Physicians, investing in people is part of our mission statement. “Making deep investments in our people,” is not only about financial investments. I recently made the decision to promote one of our nursing leaders into a role not typically held by someone with a nursing background. It wasn’t until I reflected on the…
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Sound Physicians’ National Leadership Conference – First Dispatch
Clinical and business leaders from around the organization gather in Phoenix for our National Leadership Conference to educate, motivate, and celebrate. The theme this year is “Flight School!”
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Webinar Highlights: Performance Feedback, Transparency and Driving High-Value Healthcare
Based on case studies from different health systems and clinical contexts, two thought leaders describe lessons learned in using provider-specific performance feedback and transparency to drive clinical improvement and high-value healthcare.
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Total Knee Arthroplasties
When CMS removed Total Knee Arthroplasties (TKA) from the “inpatient only” list, it created confusion for providers. I’m discussing the issues surrounding TKA and how you can use the Two-Midnight Rule as your guide.
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Lessons Learned from Managing Emergency Departments During a Historic Flu Season
Unless you’ve been living under a well-sanitized rock the last three months, you’ve certainly experienced the epidemic flu season raging across the United States January through March. While the flu season peak has passed, we’re not totally out of the woods yet. Here are six guidelines provider teams can follow to accommodate the surge while…
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Relish the Opportunity to Teach
Teachers are truly special individuals who deserve our admiration and respect. They dedicate themselves to educating and shaping the lives of students. It is for this very reason we should relish the opportunity to teach those who cross our path.
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Profile of a Physician Leader for National Physicians Week
During National Physicians Week, I’m highlighting a physician that exemplifies Sound’s core values of quality, service, teamwork, innovation, and integrity. Dr. Greg R. Johnson, Regional Chief Medical Officer for Sound Physicians, has developed a team culture that focuses on delivering measurable improvements in health outcomes by building a foundation of strong teamwork, camaraderie, and collaboration.
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Improving Healthcare Through Innovation
Innovation is a core value at Sound Physicians. Every year we encourage our colleagues to submit research and pilot projects designed to drive improvements in quality, satisfaction, and financial performance to our Clinical Innovation Council. I’m excited to share upcoming work accepted for presentation at the ACHE and SHM Annual Conferences this spring.
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Preparing for Residency: 6 Tips for Success
Excitement around Match Week and Match Day is palpable. Medical school is coming to a close, and residency is about to begin. Reflecting on my experience with Match Week and residency, I’m sharing some advice I wish someone had given me as I embarked on this chapter of my life.
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Transitions of Care: Beyond the Diagnosis
At times, it can be frustrating when patients are readmitted to the hospital for not following discharge instructions. A recent experience with a patient post-discharge provided a good reminder to consider the reasons for non-compliance and to think beyond the diagnosis.
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From the Appeals Desk: Congestive Heart Failure
Detailed documentation is required for payors to approve claims for reimbursement. Increasingly, claims are denied for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Learn what physician advisors are seeing in their reviews and how to properly document for patients with CHF.
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Don’t Just Do the Job. Be Passionate About the Purpose.
Sometimes the difference between providing average and excellent care is taking the time to communicate clearly with patients. Taking advantage of opportunities to exceed expectations gets to the heart of improving the patient experience.
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Proud, Grateful, and Inspired
I recently received an invitation from the White House to meet with senior officials and ten other healthcare executives to discuss the challenges of electronic health record system interoperability. Read about my experience here.
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Trust: The Center of Patient Care
As physicians it is our responsibility to honor the trust our patients give when we care for them. The recent trial of (former Dr.) Larry Nassar, ex-USA Gymnastics team doctor, caused me to reflect on the importance of provider-patient relationships and the sacred role of trust.
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Taking a Career Leap
I’m a researcher and life-long learner. The Sound Ambassador career offered me a chance to study many health systems, understand how they function, and provide process improvements when change is needed.
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Aspire to Be “Untouchable”
This month marks my 10th anniversary at Sound Physicians, prompting me to reflect not only the past 10 years here at Sound, but on my entire professional career. I couldn’t be happier where I landed, as I am privileged to work with an organization reshaping healthcare delivery where I make an impact daily. I have a career…