Lola Butcher
About the Author
Lola Butcher
Latest Work
Providence deploys technology, analytics in response to the coronavirus pandemic
In Washington state, one of the epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic, Providence has enhanced its response by taking advantage of new technology.
A Providence executive offers lessons for U.S. hospitals on coping with the new coronavirus
Keys for hospitals to stay on top of the coronavirus outbreak including developing a communications plan and establishing remote-monitoring capacity.
The coronavirus and the healthcare supply chain: What hospitals need to know about N95 masks, drugs and devices
Hospitals should understand the potential supply chain disruption from the novel coronavirus and start taking steps to mitigate the impact.
Innovation in action: The genesis of the geriatric ED
An innovative idea sparked the concept of the geriatric ED, which now has its own accreditation process and is becoming a staple of hospitals around the country.
Geriatric EDs improve care, reduce utilization
Main article: Innovation in action: The genesis of the geriatric ED Adults ages 65 and older account for about 18% of total emergency department (ED) visits, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). That percentage has increased steadily in the past decade and will do so for the foreseeable future. There were 43…
How Texas Health Resources improved patient access and preservice revenue
The health system uses a centralized preservice financial clearance department and automated dialers to contact 98 percent of scheduled patients before they receive services.
8 initiatives for overhauling the patient financial experience
Consumers increasingly expect healthcare organizations to provide the type of convenience and efficiency that they are accustomed to receiving from retail and other industry sectors. Moving from “the way it’s always been done” to a customer-centered financial operation requires a major overhaul of processes and protocols, as illustrated by the effort at Atlanta-based Piedmont Healthcare.…
Northwell Health Tackles Patient ID Matching
Patient-identification-matching problems are increasing as the healthcare industry consolidates. However, solutions are available to reduce duplicate record backlogs as demonstrated by an intensive effort at one health system.
2 tech tips for efficiently contacting patients
A predictive dialer allows staff to spend their time talking to patients who are available for a conversation rather than trying to reach patients who are not.
Health plan data helps physicians, but additional insight would improve outcomes
A patient-centered medical home program has fostered collaborative relationships between a health plan and participating providers, but one provider says the program would be even more effective if the data supplied by the health plan were more actionable.