Technology is pervasive in the provider community, but still relatively undeveloped in the areas of patient communication and knowledge management.  We've all seen the amazing technical devices to assist providers in diagnosing and treating diseases.  Likely, you're familiar too with the use of technology in claims processing, billing, and so on.

In the area of informatics and knowledge management the use of systems is still very new.  Some of the key initiatives in this area include:
  • Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
  • Health Information Exchange
  • Disease Management
  • Patient Information Portals
For Geriatric Care Management, specifically, we could add Case Management and Decision Support Systems.  Case Management has been used for some time by payers to control costs, but recently have been used to improve and coordinate care.  There are a handful of case management systems emerging for the non-clinical dimension of Geriatric Care. 

Decision Support is very new.  SCANS, mentioned in earlier blogs, is an example of such a system.  This is unique in the class in that it focuses on care rather than improving reimbursement.