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Key Moments

(0:40) The podcast starts with Larkin and Liddell discussing macro trends trending in the industry around health data storage. Liddell goes into detail on the financial impacts, workforce shortages, and capital pressures on tech in the industry, which will overall lead to innovations in healthcare in due time.

(2:44) Larkin asks what role Harmony plays if a health system wants to scale back and tighten their IT budget. Liddell explains that managing legacy systems and archiving data can ultimately reduce costs and preserve data.

(4:05) Data volumes in healthcare are tripling every three years, which has caused challenges on how to manage large amounts of data, centralize the data, and keep the data secured. Liddell explains how Harmony manages all types and forms of data including access to archived diagnostic images (DICOM Viewer).

(5:49) Next, Larkin and Liddell discuss smart security investments. Liddell comments that without proper data security, an organization can face a large disruption with a security or privacy incident. Securing data with endpoint detection, utilizing the zero-trust concept, and HITRUST certification are all ways to ensure secure digital data.

(8:30) Liddell gives insight from a recent CHIME focus group he took part in, where conversation around a Cures Act strategy as it relates to historical data was discussed.

(10:35) Liddell discusses patient identity management and the importance of getting disparate systems organized into an architecture that allows data to be easily moved and integrated with other systems to release patient information when needed.

(12:45) Lastly, Larkin and Liddell review the 2022 year for Harmony. Liddell hits on how the team continued to execute on the mission of preserving vital information to improve the lives of others, driving the work Harmony does. The expansion of Harmony’s HealthData Platform^™ also took place in 2022, a standard but flexible approach to managing all types of data.

Speakers

Host:
Shannon Larkin, VP of Marketing and Business Development at Harmony Healthcare IT, utilizes her 25+ years of health IT experience to connect healthcare organizations with a team of experts that consolidate and modernize data storage to reduce cost and risk.

Guest
Tom Liddell, of Harmony Healthcare IT, is a Managing Partner, serving as Chief Executive Officer. He has over 30 years of experience in healthcare information technology, and was President and Co-Founder of SMI, a healthcare technology firm located in Indiana.

Related Resource Links

Explore our services

Learn more about HealthData Archiver^®

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Don’t forget to subscribe to the HealthData Talks Podcast on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, and more.

Key Moments

(0:11) The episode begins with Shannon Larkin introducing John Jonas, Business Analyst at Harmony Healthcare IT, and the topic of discussion – DICOM Viewer for an archive.

(1:35) The conversation takes off with the discussion of discrete data management. Jonas explains discrete data is very accessible, easy to search/sort/filter and is much of the data Harmony archives. Although, image and document archiving can also be migrated over to a go-forward EHR or long-term storage solution, such as HealthData Archiver^®.

(3:00) Larkin digs deeper, wondering how storing DICOM images in an active archive works and how it is different than a legacy PAC system. Jonas explains that DICOM images such as MRI or CT scans, all being high quality images, may have multiple images tied to one study, which can be difficult to store on the backend. Bringing these images over to an active archive allows clients flexibility to decommission an expensive PAC solution without having to migrate the image over to a go-forward solution.

(5:15) Alternative options for DICOM Viewer are discussed, which is to print the images off via PDF and archiving. DICOM Viewer allows users to view images in a full resolution, with built-in tools, and offers a one of kind user experience when viewing images.

(6:15) Key features of HealthData Archiver^® DICOM Viewer are brought to light. Functionalities include different image displaying options, diagnostic capabilities that are compatible with an archive, and image download in JPG and PNG formats.

(9:23) Larkin asks if study reports are linked right to the DICOM image. The answer is yes, DICOM studies can be displayed to give details of what might be inside of a study. These reports can be linked in the archive with proper back-end configuration.

(9:46) The conversation wraps up with Jonas explaining storage costs of large and complex images can be extremely high in a PAC system, and the DICOM Viewer is a low-cost alternative to store these images.

Speakers

Host:
Shannon Larkin, VP of Marketing and Business Development at Harmony Healthcare IT, utilizes her 25+ years of health IT experience to connect healthcare organizations with a team of experts that consolidate and modernize data storage to reduce cost and risk.

Guest:
John Jonas, Business Analyst at Harmony Healthcare IT, plans and researches new features and functionalities for the company’s line of products, working with various teams within the organization. He has over 6 years of experience in engineering and healthcare information technology.

Related Resource Links

Explore DICOM Viewer 

Learn more about HealthData Archiver^®

(0:11) The conversation begins with Shannon Larkin introducing Jim Hammer, SVP, at Harmony Healthcare IT, and Hammer gives a background on himself which consists of him leading Harmony Healthcare IT’s product strategy.

(2:00) Larkin starts off by explaining that in the past 15 years, legacy data conversions have focused mostly on patient-based records in ambulatory and acute care settings, but there are additional types of software that help healthcare organizations run smoothly that need archived.

(2:10) Hammer discusses that a healthcare institution is still a business with a ton of systems and records such as ERP & CRM data that needs to be migrated, archived, and retained for retention policies.

 (3:20) Hammer gives a specific example of blood bank record retention as an example of non-patient-centric records and notes blood banks have very detailed FDA requirements with a long retention period.

(3:55) Hammer gives another example of non-patient-centric records around a surgical supply vendor that was archived. Harmony Healthcare IT was able to help an IDN find a particular model number on a surgical device that was implanted on a patient that was murdered and the model number in the archive helped solve the case.

(4:23) Larkin asks how the different data field types being stored for patient vs non-patient data types are getting centralized and stored so it works for the users to see what they need to see when they need to see it. Hammer responds that Harmony manages that by what is referred to as “data domains”, which inform the appropriate search screen for that data type (clinical vs accounts receivable vs general financial for example).

(6:05) Larkin and Hammer next discuss employee records and retention, including what healthcare specific regulations govern employee records. Examples discussed are OSHA playing a role in job-related illnesses or injuries, along with drug testing, medical exams must be kept for years, even if termination of an employee happens. An archive is a perfect solution for keeping employee records secure and compliant for long term record retention.

(8:14) Larkin and Hammer discuss brand names that come to mind in terms of non-healthcare applications that are typically archived. On the ERP level, applications include Lawson, Kronos, and Workday, as well as integrated HIS systems such as MEDITECH, CPSI and Healthland.

(10:05) Larkin and Hammer talk about familiarity of the DRIP acronym (Data Rich, Information Poor), how it applies to an archival strategy, and how a solid application rationalization program is important for a successful archive to centralize the legacy data.

Speakers

Host:
Shannon Larkin, VP of Marketing and Business Development at Harmony Healthcare IT, utilizes her 25+ years of health IT experience to connect healthcare organizations with a team of experts that consolidate and modernize data storage to reduce cost and risk.

Guest:
Jim Hammer, SVP at Harmony Healthcare IT, is a Senior Partner and SVP at Harmony Healthcare IT and drives the short and long-term strategy of its products and services. He has over 25 years of experience in practice management and healthcare information technology

Related Resource Links

Explore employee record storage  

Learn more about HealthData Archiver^®

Follow us

LinkedIn: @Harmony Healthcare IT, the Makers of HealthData Archiver^®

Twitter: @HarmonyHit

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Key Moments

(0:10) The conversation kicks off with Larkin introducing Dr. Kricheff and the topic – use cases for historical records in the ER. 

(2:18) Dr. Kricheff discusses how he uses legacy data in the ER and examples of situations where he might need to access a patient’s complete medical history to properly treat them in the ER (i.e. if they come in unresponsive, suffering from dementia, poor healthcare literacy). 

(3:25) Dr. Kricheff answers Larkin’s next question on examples of when access to legacy data can be valuable when the patient is responsive. Kricheff responds with an example of getting a result that is abnormal, chronically or acutely, from a CT scan. Then he can then look into that patient’s legacy record to see if they had a CT scan five years ago and compare the scans, which drastically improves the value of repeat imaging. 

(4:37) Larkin asks Dr. Kricheff for a use case where non-clinical data can be particularly helpful. Dr. Kricheff responds that knowing who the provider is for a patient is very important so doctors can continue to provide care and maintain their patients within their health system. He can look at a patient’s history and contact other doctors in that health system to ask questions if necessary for treating patients.  

(6:52) Larkin points out Dr. Kricheff’s health system recently went through a system transition and asks him for advice for clinicians or provider organizations who are going through a similar system switch. He responds that it is important to spend time and figure out a plan on how your organization will access legacy data moving forward with your IT team and medical staff, so it is easily accessible to those who need it.  

Speakers

Host:
Shannon Larkin, VP of Marketing and Business Development, utilizes her 25+ years of health IT experience to connect healthcare organizations with a team of experts that consolidate and modernize data storage to reduce cost and risk.

Guest:
Dr. Mark Kricheff, MD, MPH, FAAEM, Emergency Physician and Clinical Informaticist at Saint Joseph Health System in Indiana, has been practicing emergency medicine full-time since 1994 and clinical informatics part-time since 1998. He completed his residency in emergency medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia in 1997 and became Board Certified in Emergency Medicine (ABEM) and a Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine in 1999. Dr. Kricheff  is  an Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine at the South Bend Campus. He currently serves as vice-president of the medical staff for St. Joseph Health System in Mishawaka, Indiana.

Related Resource Links

Explore HealthData Archiver^®
Learn more about how we serve clinicians 
Read more about avoiding physician burnout  

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LinkedIn: @Harmony Healthcare IT, the Makers of HealthData Archiver^®

Twitter: @HarmonyHit

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Key Moments

(0:10) The conversation kicks off with Larkin introducing Navarro and the topic – how the healthcare industry is readying data for interoperability and preparing for the 21^st Century Cures Act.

(1:25) Navarro highlights the importance of industry standards when working with health data.

(2:44) Navarro discusses takeaways from part one and two of the 2022 ONC Annual Meeting, including initiatives such as Information Blocking regulations and provisions, TEFCA QHIN framework, and the USCDI standard.

(5:54) Navarro explains the challenges that OB care teams face when sharing data from inpatient/outpatient care, and how using FHIR APIs to query systems will be helpful when accessing medical records.

(8:03) Larkin asks Navarro for recommendations on where to look for education concerning FHIR. Navarro goes into detail about the FHIR standard, and shares resources where one can go to become familiar with it.

(11:05) Navarro discusses information blocking and the 21^st Century Cures Act really pushing FHIR adoption.

(14:13) Larkin asks Navarro what he is hearing from provider organizations about the impact that the 21^st Century Cures Act has on legacy data. Navarro responds that all ancillary systems are important, including those housing historical data, and need to be available for patient care and compliant with data blocking rules.

Speakers

Host:
Shannon Larkin, VP of Marketing and Business Development, utilizes her 25+ years of health IT experience to connect healthcare organizations with a team of experts that consolidate and modernize data storage to reduce cost and risk.

Guest:
David Navarro, Senior Director of Data Science at Harmony Healthcare IT. David has over 22 years of health information technology experience in Integration and Health Information Exchange. In his professional career, David has focused on data quality, data insights, and interoperability. He has implemented hundreds of interfaces between clinical and financial systems utilizing a variety of integration platforms, custom ETL processes, and nationally accepted standards.  He continues to drive interoperability initiatives and focuses on the curation and accessibility of data in the healthcare ecosystem.

Related Resource Links

Learn more about the 2022 ONC Annual Meeting Recap
Learn more about the 21^st Century Cures Act and the Push for REST API Adoption
Learn more about Understanding TEFCA and its Role in National Interoperability

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LinkedIn: @Harmony Healthcare IT, the Makers of HealthData Archiver^®

Twitter: @HarmonyHit

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You can subscribe to the HealthData Talks Podcast on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts and more.

Key Moments

(0:50) The conversation kicks off with an overview of HITRUST – a security framework – and why it’s important.

(1:45) Larkin mentions HIPAA and how HITRUST differs since it is a framework, not a law. She asks Kompare to elaborate on the HITRUST certification process.

(2:48) Kompare discusses the two types of assessments within HITRUST certification – r2 and i1. Additionally, he covers the main components of certification: security processes, number of controls, in-person audits, and maturity scores.

(4:08) Kompare elaborates on the range of controls you can meet in the HITRUST framework, which varies by organization depending on their needs.

(5:25) Larkin and Kompare discuss the resources it requires to achieve HITRUST certification and recertification. HITRUST takes more resources than just the IT department. It is an ongoing effort for the entire company which is put into practice every day.

(7:54) Larkin asks Kompare to explain the difference between SOC and HITRUST certifications. He explains that both are great security certifications, however, HITRUST was born out of HIPAA and is directly for the healthcare sector.

(9:17) HITRUST certification may require a lot of resources but the return on investment is high. Kompare details how improving security posture and reducing risk will always provide a return. The framework gives a sense of confidence and methodology to follow when it comes to security.

Speakers

Host:
Shannon Larkin, VP of Marketing and Business Development at Harmony Healthcare IT, utilizes her 25+ years of health IT experience to connect healthcare organizations with a team of experts that consolidate and modernize data storage to reduce cost and risk.

Guest:
Dan Kompare, VP of Information Systems, has over 20 years of experience in information technology with a specialty in data integration and work in bioinformatics and EHR system design. Today, Dan leads the Harmony Healthcare IT Infrastructure and Support teams, focusing on the customer experience and providing technical solutions to improve the patient care experience.

Related Resource Links

Explore data archiving

Learn more about the differences between HITRUST and HIPAA

Read our Security Focus Whitepaper

Follow Us

LinkedIn: @Harmony Healthcare IT, the Makers of HealthData Archiver^®

Twitter: @HarmonyHit

(0:12) Larkin introduces Plumlee and the topic of focus – Robotic Process Automation (RPA ) – and asks Plumlee to describe the role the data integration team plays in retaining medical data. Plumlee explains they take the data the client needs, and then they manipulate and upload it into HealthData Archiver^®® in a way that resembles their old system. This, he says, allows clients to look at their archive and easily navigate to the data they need. 

(1:40) Plumlee explains that the user interface they create is easy for business users to log into, access their data, and release information as requested or needed.

(2:04) Larkin asks why some data sets are more challenging than others. Plumlee says the most common challenges he sees are around encrypted documents and sensitive data, as well as other documents that  cannot be accessed through extraction or traditional database backups.  

(3:07) Robotic Process Automation is developing ways to replicate how a user might interact with an application, Plumlee says. He details the process, as well as the steps and data needed to do it properly. He adds that a good example for RPA is fetal monitoring strips or larger discharge forms that compile data from various sources.  

(4:45) Larkin asks what an alternative would be if we didn’t have RPA. Plumlee says in the past, companies would have to hire people to manually extract these documents, which is an error-prone process and not very fun for employees to have to do. He states that with RPA, the cost threshold means they can have documents archived that they really want but perhaps didn’t necessarily need. 

(6:24) Plumlee adds that while the process is far faster than human extraction, it is still slower than something that could be ran through a database process. There are limits to how fast it can run on the front end of an application. It is complex, he says, and there are still some limitations to what they can create to be done automatically. 

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Speakers
Host:
Shannon Larkin, VP of Marketing and Business Development, at Harmony Healthcare IT, utilizes her 25+ years of health IT experience to connect healthcare organizations with a team of experts that consolidate and modernize data storage to reduce cost and risk.

Guest:
Quintin Plumlee, Data Integration Manager – RPA, at Harmony Healthcare IT, harnesses his experience in development and automation from various industries to implement effective and cost-efficient automated document extraction at Healthcare Organizations to help deliver complete patient archives.

Related Resource Links

Explore data integration

Learn more about HealthData Archiver^®

Learn more about EHR compliance and the 21st Century Cures Act

Follow us

LinkedIn: @Harmony Healthcare IT, the Makers of HealthData Archiver^®

Twitter: @HarmonyHit

Subscribe
You can subscribe to the HealthData Talks Podcast on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts and more.

Key Moments

(1:05) Larkin and Group kick off the conversation by breaking down legacy data into layperson’s terms. Group explains that many client conversations revolve around the cost of this data and the burden it has on IT departments, but there is a need to focus on the legal aspect, too.

(2:45) Larkin asks about the specific risks that healthcare organizations should consider regarding their legacy data management strategy. Group elaborates on the two main categories to focus on: security risks and regulatory compliance, especially with the 21^st Century Cures Act.

(4:48) Group explains the critical compliance points of being able to easily access legacy data in addition to needing to remain compliant with state and federal data retention requirements.

(6:19) Larkin questions where an organization would need to begin to manage the risks and Group says a good place to start is to understand all the sources of data an organization is collecting. Asking the HIM and IT departments to assist with creating a comprehensive list of these can be helpful.

(8:40) Developing a cross-functional governance board can be helpful for understanding all the systems within an organization and is a great team to document and understand what those systems are used for, Group adds. Larkin and Group then discuss how to appropriately manage the data across an organization, so it is put to its best possible use.

Speakers

Host:
Shannon Larkin, VP of Marketing and Business Development at Harmony Healthcare IT, utilizes her 25+ years of health IT experience to connect healthcare organizations with a team of experts that consolidate and modernize data storage to reduce cost and risk.

Guest:
Bridget Group, LD, Corporate Counsel at Harmony Healthcare IT, has years of health IT experience, working in solution planning, project and program management, and legal analysis. As a consultant at Cerner Corporation, Group simultaneously leg solution implementation for numerous clients. She transitioned implementation skills into project management for Harmony Healthcare IT clients.

Related Resource Links

Explore legacy data management

Learn more about HealthData Archiver^®

Learn more about how we serve HIM and Legal/Compliance teams

Follow us

LinkedIn: @Harmony Healthcare IT, the Makers of HealthData Archiver^®

Twitter: @HarmonyHit