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Hot Health IT Topics of 2021: 5 Most Popular Posts

We thought there couldn’t be another year quite like 2020…until 2021 came along. The unremitting pandemic continued to spark major shifts in the healthcare industry, from providers delivering care remotely to pharmacists playing a starring role in testing and vaccinating their communities. And while some federal and state mandates were delayed due to the pandemic, healthcare organizations continued to adopt new technology to advance digital workflows and data sharing. Here are the posts that covered some of the year’s hottest topics.

1. COVID-19 Communication Solutions: Vaccine and Testing Coordination
Linda Fischer
It’s no surprise that COVID-19 was the main talking point over the past year. We kicked off January with a look at the logistics involved in coordinating virus screening, test result notifications, vaccine scheduling, and patient outreach. As Linda Fischer points out in this popular post, “Improving care coordination during a pandemic doesn’t just require thinking outside the box; it requires getting rid of an archaic box.”

2. How Hospitals Are Using AI to Reduce Adverse Drug Events
Colin Banas, M.D., M.H.A.
The past year generated plenty of dire healthcare statistics. In this blog post, Dr. Banas acknowledges the grave dangers posed by adverse drug events (ADEs) and focuses on the success of new technologies in improving medication reconciliation. Check out some feel-good stories from three hospitals that are preventing ADEs from negatively affecting patient outcomes.

3. 5 Keys to Better Care Coordination and Discharge Planning
Rita Patel, R.N., B.S.N.
As the pandemic stresses hospital capacity, case managers (the “unsung heroes” of COVID-19 hospital care) need the best digital tools to streamline workflows; connect providers, payers, and patients; and improve the patient experience. Our Rita Patel draws on her 27 years as a Registered Nurse to outline five keys to success for better discharge planning and safer transitions of care.

4. Drug Store News Honors Outstanding Pharmacists
DrFirst
Many healthcare heroes have gone above and beyond over the past year, including our nation’s pharmacists. In October, in recognition of American Pharmacists Month, Drug Store News announced its Top Women in Health, Wellness & Beauty and included two DrFirst pharmacists in this year’s prestigious group of winners. This post celebrates Heidi Polek and Mary Lou Notaro as integral members of our clinical team.

5. Protecting the Elderly With Medication Reconciliation
Colin Banas, M.D., M.H.A.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services delayed enforcement of its Interoperability and Patient Access Final Rule, but health systems nevertheless have good reason to move forward with initiatives to improve medication reconciliation; reduce adverse drug events; and share admission, discharge, and transfer notifications. In this post, Dr. Banas covers the importance of having accurate medication history information at every transition of care, particularly for elderly patients.

Keep up to date on all the hottest topics in health IT by visiting the DrFirst blog.