Blogs

As many of you know I am a lifetime learner. Learn or die. Read, listen to audio books, teleseminars, etc, etc, etc. My kindred spirits get the gist.

I also multi-task. This, according to current research lessens my IQ and makes me more unproductive. Tough habit to break! I am working on it.

There is an article in the Columbus Ohio Business First this week about Hyundai adding a luxury line to their offerings. A local dealer (Ricart) is spending big bucks to upgrade their facility to meet the needs of potential customers of the Hyundai Equus, their new luxury vehicle.

Doctors and covered entities have now had a few weeks to digest the finalized HITECH and Meaningful Use rules. The changes from the preliminary rules have made the transition a little more achievable, however the confusing basics are still in place. The need for EHR transition teams is great and the number of them is small.

It has come to my attention that the tax incentives for capital purchases under Section 179 in the U.S. tax code have been extended through 2010. If you are not familiar with them ask your tax advisor about the specifics. Here are the basics for you now:

1) Businesses showing a profit and who purchase capital equipment totalling up to $250,000 in the 2010 calendar year may accelerate the depreciation of these items at the rate of 100%.

2) Purchases above the $250,000 amount also may be accelerated at the rate of 50% up to $800,000 if purchased in calendar year 2010.

In a live web cast hosted by the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Aug 7th, Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology answered critics of the
administration’s healthcare reform efforts and underscored the role of health information technology in
accomplishing it stating that the adoption of health information technology will serve as a catalyst for achieving the goals of healthcare reform legislation.

The letter "E" is fast becoming the most important letter in the sErvicE and consumEr products arena. It would be ridiculous to profess that this is some "new" revelation. However with a deeper evaluation of the entire "E" marketing concept it is evident that science is what is really behind the phenomenon. The collection and exploitation of data is the core fuel that makes the "E" engine run. Keystrokes, clicks, pop-ups, and even face recognition are all used to drill down into exactly what stimulates us all to buy.

As I interview medical professionals it occurs to me that there are some parts of the interview that have them at ease but other parts that seem to creep under their skin like those awful toe fungus creatures on television. Those parts of our discussion almost invariably are about the business side of their practice. It has been reported over and over again that doctors just want to help patients, golf on Wednesdays, and enjoy their family time.