Smart cards have many uses in health care
Smart cards have many uses in health care
Smart cards, which have only begun to make inroads in the United States, promise many useful applications throughout the health care system. Smart cards are credit card-sized plastic cards that store information using an embedded microcomputer chip.
Already used in Europe for limited health and insurance information storage, the cards are being used in a handful of U.S. hospitals to store medical records. Here are a few other ways the cards can be used in health care:
• In emergency situations.
The cards can be used by ambulance and emergency personnel to glean vital health information about patients unable to relay that information due to injury. Allergies, blood type, medications, next of kin, insurance carrier, and organ donor information could help in administering emergency medical care on the spot.
• To overcome language barriers.
For patients who are not fluent in English, the cards’ stored information can help alleviate potentially serious mistakes due to translation errors or misunderstandings.
• In pharmacies.
Pharmacists can view real-time information on patient medication and track trends in dosage and usage. They also can view allergy information instead of relying on patients’ sometimes faulty memories.
• By admitting/billing personnel.
Smart cards can store insurance coverage and reimbursement information as well as billing records, offering a faster, more efficient answer to common delays in receiving information.
• For hospital customer service.
Much like airline frequent flier programs that store customer seating and meal preferences, the smart cards can store food and other preferences to make patients’ stays more comfortable. This could be a useful marketing tool, highlighting hospital customer service efforts.
Job duties and essential functions
n Determines patient needs and resources within 24 hours of admission. Initiate discharge planning process.
n Maintains communication with payers regarding assessments, outcomes and projected LOS.
n Serves as a resource to healthcare team; communicates with physician, consultants and all members of the healthcare team.
n Notifies physicians of financial status of patient, i.e., MIA (medically indigent adult) patients.
n Reviews for medical necessity and SI/IS (severity of illness/intensity of service); notifies MD when documentation does not meet SI/IS criteria concurrent and retrospective.
n Coordinates routine discharge planning (return to same facility, no psychosocial issues); delegates discharge needs to members of healthcare team as appropriate.
n Coordinates transfer to appropriate facilities when applicable as requested by payer.
n Participates in multidisciplinary collaboration in development and implementation of treatment plan; secure authorization for needed additional patient service as required.
n Coordinates plan of care by monitoring appropriateness of tests/procedures, consultations and treatment plans. Monitors resource utilization.
n Identifies, documents and reports variances, quality, risk and infection control issues; participates in multidisciplinary studies.
n Other duties as assigned.
Department specific competencies
n Knowledge of the role of case management in the continuum of care and discharge planning for patients and families.
n Knowledge of appropriate intervention strategies to reduce length of stay and manage utilization.
n Knowledge of community resources and referral mechanisms.
n Knowledge of reimbursement mechanisms and managed care issues.
Leadership/Coordination/Decision making
n Promotes collegial and collaborative working relationships throughout the Community Health System.
n Demonstrates knowledge of the organizational structure and lines of authority.
n Demonstrates the ability to prioritize and utilize resources and support staff to complete assignments in a timely and efficient manner and seeks opportunities to assist others.
n Demonstrates fiscal responsibility related to staffing and materiel management.
Source: Community Hospital of San Bernardino(CA).
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