Experts | University of the Sciences

iPad Touches Electronic Medical Records Adoption

 
By Richard G. Stefanacci, DO, MGH, MBA, AGSF, CMD

The most positive news to impact healthcare in quite some time may not have been the words of the President in his State of the Union address but rather the words coming out of Silicon Valley. Yesterday, Jan 27, Apple unveiled its latest product, the iPad. This device may actually have the ability to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs.

With some $21 billion set aside in the Stimulus Package to provide funds to physicians and hospitals that use electronic health records (EHRs), part of these funds may be used to purchase the new Apple iPad. Already the iPad will enjoy apps that are currently available to the iPhone/iPod Touch and more are in the works. The Mayo Clinic recently announced production of several healthcare apps.

Major electronic health record systems like Epic have already developed electronic health record applications for the smaller devices. The increased screen and key board size of the iPad will make these systems much easier to use.

One of the greatest advantages of the iPad over the use of PC-based EHRs is that it fits better in the work flow of physicians that patients are already comfortable with. One of the largest criticisms by physicians and patients, including my own, is that the use of the PC appears to make the office visit less personal. A tablet device like the iPad could eliminate that distances and actually improve the link between physicians and their patients.

Apple’s iPad improvements could be the link between physicians and their patients combined with the benefits in efficiency through the use of EHRs. The iPad could do what Washington has long promised but has yet to be able to do – improve patient care and reduce the cost of healthcare.

As a practicing geriatrician who has utilized EHRs for more than a decade, this is long welcome positive news.

Dr. Richard Stefanacci, Director of the Institute for Geriatric Studies at University of the Sciences. As an internist/geriatrician, Dr. Stefanacci has a longstanding interest and commitment to geriatric health, particularly the frail elderly and long-term care.

Ethics in Computing

Ethics in Computing. During a class discussion in our Information Technology (CS-250) course at The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia we were examining the ethics of computing. History has shown us that the use of technology can be for good or for bad intentions. For example, nuclear technology provides us with medical therapies and clean energy but has also been used as a weapon of war. The automobile has provided society with an easily accessible travel vehicle but also results in many deaths each year and degrades the environment. Computers and the Internet have had profound impacts on society.  Many positive changes to business, entertainment, and social networking have been due to computer technology.  But there are also negative aspects to the computer revolution. As a professional computer scientist or computer engineer, you should help advance the field of study by adhering to a set of ethical standards that illustrate the positive aspects of modern computer technology.  Computer scientists need to be at the forefront of identifying unethical uses of computer technology. We came up with the following list of intentional unethical uses of computers. Can you identify any others?

1. Hacking

2. Spam

3. Phishing

4. Pirating 

5. Stealing Data

6. Identity Theft

7. Cyber Bullying

8. Spreading Viruses

9. Cyber Snooping

10. Online Gambling

11. Online Illegal Solicitation

12. Cyber Squatting 

Dr. Jim Pierce Talks Electronic Medical Records with KYW Radio

There is more and more discussion about the prospect of electronic medical records becoming reality here in the US. Dr. James Pierce, chair of the bioinformatics and computer science department at the University of the Sciences, talks about some of the challenges of making this a reality. Read the full story by KYW’s Matt Leon at KYW Newsradio.

Listne to a full podcast of the interview: http://www.kyw1060.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=3700747

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The Department of Health Policy and Public Health at the University’s Mayes College of Healthcare Business and Policy is proud to present a unique forum for policy dialogue on the Future of Health Information Technology.

Thursday, May 14, 2009, from 5-7 p.m.
Reception to follow in the McNeil STC Atrium

Learn more: http://www.usp.edu/symposium/

Research Day Showcases Faculty and Student Research

From metabolic engineering to computational chemistry and from structural prediction of proteins to rational design of new therapeutics, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia showcased the diversity and growth of research pursuits on campus during its 7th Annual Research Day starting on Thursday, April 2, 2009. Posters representing approximately 120 topics were on display.

Research Day recognizes undergraduate and graduate student research efforts, and highlights aspects of faculty scholarly activity to encourage and promote communication and collaboration among investigators. The University is distinctive in that most undergraduate students conduct research with faculty early in their academic careers.

The diverse research activity on display spans several aspects of the University’s scholarly pursuits, including:

• Biological Sciences: Dr. Jennifer Anthony’s research involving the metabolic engineering of E. coli for the production of vitamin A.
  • Chemistry: Dr. Randy Zauhar’s use of computer-aided drug design to identify new antimicrobial lead compounds.
• Pharmaceutical Sciences: Dr. Bin Chen’s evaluation of the effects of vascular-targeting photodynamic therapy on prostate cancer metastasis.
• Physical Therapy: Dr. Therese Johnston’s usage of treadmill training for children with cerebral palsy.
• Social Sciences: Psychology major Mark Paullin’s (Philadelphia, Pa.) study of mild cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease.
• Health Policy: Master in public health major Sekinat Kekere-Ekun’s (Deptford, N.J.) work on the descriptive epidemiology of viral hepatitis in methadone maintenance clients.
• Pharmacy Practice: Doctor of pharmacy students Neha Patel (Fairless Hills, Pa.), Puja Patel (Hillsborough, N.J.), and Isha Shah’s (Bensalem, Pa.) analysis of the usage of ondansetron in non-chemotherapy patients at a community teaching hospital.