At the Am Medical Informatics Association meeting in Nov 2011, I had the pleasure of meeting Yohan Lee, PhD, an energetic and knowledgeable genomic researcher.  We had a conversation on some general principles on pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics via Skype recently.  Here is a podcast of that conversation.

Posted via email from RxDoc.Org

It seems that this is the year of usability in medical applications.  There are lots of studies and examples of how better usability impacts patient care and workflow.   A couple of years ago Allen Flynn from the Univ of Michigan Hospitals and pharmacy informatics extraordinaire, presented this concept of a pharmacy profile, a la iTunes.  This is awesome and a classic.  Thanks to Allen Flynn for allowing to share his brilliant ideas.   A pdf of the entire iTunes pharmacy profile is attached.

Fifty Usability Ideas for Pharmacy inspired by iTunes

1. Pharmacy Department’s on-screen message box

2. Patient selection via Venue -> Unit -> Name

3. Updating counts of orders to be verified in parenthesis (y)

4. Drug information summary box updated for current drug
5. Contextual hyperlinks to drug info databases as buttons

6. On-screen clock

7. Large name panel with age, sex, weight, CrCL

While we disagree on the value and integrity of ASHP, I agree with everything in this speech.  He is an unbelievable pioneer and innovator in pharmacy informatics.  Congratulations to Dennis!

Posted via email from RxDoc.Org

Dr. Seaton is the incomming AMIA Pharmacoinformatics Working Group Chairperson.  

Posted via email from RxDoc.Org

The Pharmacist (Official Trailer) from Michael Cassidy on Vimeo.

Posted via email from RxDoc.Org

Boldly Positioning Clinical Pharmacy in Volatile Times specifically singles out clinical decision support. <LINK>  It is great and reassuring to see a pharmacy leader that "gets it".

Posted via email from RxDoc.Org

Since this hypocrisy has to do with informatics, it is posted here.  Other professional society craziness can be found on Google Plus in the links below.

The Am Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) CEO report has a number of hypocritical and delusional aspects. Part I <LINK> addresses ASHP’s patient safety policy and handling of the State of Ohio’s “lynching” of a pharmacist. This one addresses ASHP's  claim to being at the right table when policy is made. Subsequent posts will deal with the financial management and leadership aspects in the 2011 CEO report.  Part III on taking unpopular positions is here <LINK>.

Under the heading of “Being at the right table” the ASHP CEO pounds his chest about being at the right table on health care policy and information technology issues. He notes the Pharmacy HIT Collaborative as an example. In the HIT and health reform land grab ASHP was no where near the table and are struggling to nibble on crumbs. There is not even a mention of pharmaicsts in any of the HITECH, ARRA or any health reform legislation. They seem to be coming to the table for scraps after everyone else has had a feast. 

These legislative initiatives were the equivalent of the Oklahoma land give away, GI bill and moon shot for health information technology. Pharmacists, the most connected health professionals, should have been at least part of the HITECH act to be “eligible providers” around electronic prescriptions and CPOE. As it stands there is not even a requirement to receive eRx’s and CPOE orders electronically. So claiming to be at the right table is, well, hypocritical. It borders on delusion. 

The Pharmacy HIT Collaborative is generally a very positive strategic initiative. It desires some thoughtful consideration. Please take a look at those efforts. Even at its best, this initiative does not put ASHP at the table at all. At its worst that it puts pharmacy farther down the hall by taking a counter productive approach to EHR involvement. The specific tactics of the collaborative are a bit confusing that I will address in a separate post. 

What say you?

2011 Report of the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer: ASHP: Continually in pursuit of truth (right) 

Posted via email from RxDoc.Org

Google Plus is the real deal for social networking.  That is a topic for another post.  +Pauline Sweetman is a pharmacist informatics guru in the UK that is a must follow person in your RxInformatics circles.   She points out a Google + site that will be of interest to this group.

Posted via email from RxDoc.Org

Your comments are needed.  Please see this for the specifics:

Posted via email from RxDoc.Org

Some things are more important than informatics.  Yes I know for this group that is hard to believe. 
Please take the opportunity to see this months editorial in Hospital Pharmacy, entitled "Having the courage to do the right thing".  I was deeply moved by it.
Now, consider the non-actions and mis-directions of one of pharmacy's professional organizations, ASHP, elaborated in this piece: Continually in pursuit of hypocrisy. Part I
I welcome your comments.

Posted via email from RxDoc.Org

Readers of this web site should be aware of a wide collaborative effort from many pharmacy organizations.  Here is a brief overview.  It is highly recommended to understand what this effort is doing.

The Pharmacy e-Health Information Technology Collaborative (Collaborative) launched a new website www.pharmacyhit.org.
The primary work of the Collaborative is to assure the meaningful use of standardized electronic health records (EHR), which support safe, efficient, and effective medication use and continuity of care, as well as facilitates access to the patient care services of pharmacists and other members of the interdisciplinary patient care team.  The website is designed to showcase the Collaborative’s objectives and the work of its members.

Posted via email from RxDoc.Org

 

Posted via email from RxDoc.Org

John Poikonen | john@ePharmD.Net |

Posted via email from RxDoc.Org

Posted via email from RxDoc.Org