June 23-25: Don’t Miss CAST-Led Summit

Grab your last chance to register for the Collaborative Care & Health IT Innovations Summit, which starts Sunday in Baltimore! LeadingAge CAST is convening this premiere health IT conference. 

This month, we also release EHR Selection Tool updates, news that EHR sophistication is increasing among providers, and a new CAST case study on voice and smart home tech. We discuss the consumer perspective on artificial intelligence, help you mitigate risk with voice controlled devices like Alexa, and share what the Senate Aging Committee recently heard about virtual assisted living. We’ll tell you what Best Buy is up to next and welcome new CAST members and sponsors. Let’s get started!

Last Chance: Register for Collaborative Care & Health IT Innovations Summit

It’s your last chance to register for the Collaborative Care & Health IT Innovations Summit June 23-25, 2019, in Baltimore, MD.
 
LeadingAge CAST convenes this premiere health IT conference for executives and information technology leaders from the long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) sector, as well as acute care providers, payers, and technology vendors serving the older adult and individuals with chronic conditions throughout the continuum of healthcare. 

Summit highlights include keynotes that preview the changes collaborative care and person-centered payment models may bring, as well as artificial intelligence (AI) applications in collaborative care. You will learn about person-centered payment models and supporting IT tools. Explore the pros and cons of becoming a payer. Hear case studies in interoperability, telehealth, and cybersecurity. And discover much more! Register today!

CAST Finds Increasing Sophistication in Use of EHRs

In our annual update of the CAST 7-Stage EHR Adoption Model, we found that a higher percentage of long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) providers are in advanced stages of electronic health record (EHR) adoption. The model captures EHR vendors’ perception of where their LTPAC clients fall on the spectrum of the 7-stage EHR adoption model. This year, weighted averages show that the percentage of LTPAC clients in Stages 1-5 have decreased, and the percentage in Stages 6-7 have increased. This is really great news!
 
We also have released updates to our EHR Selection Tool, including 18 new elements related to interoperability on the EHR Selection Matrix, focusing on ONC Direct Project Features and Functionalities, and a new product, ALIS by Medtelligent.

New CAST Case Study: Benefits of Voice and Smart Home Tech

This month, we summarize a new LeadingAge CAST case study that shows the benefits of a partnership between Asbury Methodist Village and LeadingAge CAST Supporter Connected Living. Using Innovative Voice and Smart Home Technologies to Enhance Resident Engagement and Staff Efficiencies tells how this collaboration yielded 70 new innovations, reduced staff time by 40%, and inspired 100% of residents to read community event information.

AI Technologies Bring Independence and Privacy

To learn how artificial intelligence (AI) can offer independence, safety, and privacy to people living with disabilities, check out excerpts from my recent interview with Brian Bard from the Administration for Community Living (ACL). LeadingAge co-sponsored this workshop, which The Forum on Aging, Disability, and Independence hosted.

Providers’ Opportunities and Risks with Smart Technologies

LeadingAge CAST Supporter BlueOrange Compliance generously partnered with CAST on an article on how providers can take advantage of opportunities and mitigate risks with smart speakers and voice-controlled devices. “Opportunities, and Risks, with New Smart Voice Technology in Senior Living” addresses relevant issues in nursing homes, assisted living, and independent living. It also offers guidance on policies, procedures, training, and monitoring. 

John DiMaggio, President & CEO of BlueOrange Compliance, will present the guidance in the Cybersecurity Track Session on June 25 at the Collaborative Care & Health IT Innovations Summit June 23-25, 2019, in Baltimore, MD. In addition, the new CAST Supporter Soundmind, one of the two HIPAA-Compliant voice controlled devices identified in the guidance, will be exhibiting at the Summit. Check the Schedule of Events and register today!

Senate Aging Committee and Best Buy Focus on Consumer Tech

In consumer-focused news, the United States Senate’s Special Committee on Aging recently heard about the promise of virtual assisted living, virtual reality, artificial intelligence home companions, workplace and transportation robotics, and more for older adults and people living with disabilities. Committee members also discussed legislation that would expand assistive technology.
 
In addition, Best Buy is taking further steps to position itself to provide technology services to tech-savvy older adults—and to make health monitoring cool. In addition, a recent acquisition enables Best Buy to build its services into Medicare Advantage plans.

New Members

This month, CAST welcomes new Sponsors and Commissioners and a new Business Associate.

Feel Free to Contact Me

If you have news to share with CAST or if I can be of assistance in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact me.