The solution to physician burnout? Don’t blame the EHR, optimize it
Op-eds and studies about the problem of physician EHR burnout are startlingly frequent. If you read healthcare news, you probably recognize headlines...
travel How to travel for business and stay healthy, happy, and sane
FEATURED POSTS
October 6, 2017How the University of Maryland Medical System used its EHR to improve HIV/HCV care
September 6, 2017Thinking about Managed Services consulting? Here's everything you need to know
June 9, 2017Why you shouldn’t delay your EHR upgrade
data visualization
October 17, 2017
Are you tapping into the well of EHR data at your fingertips? [2-minute video]
We live in a world where the insights gleaned from data are seemingly endless. Twitter data confirms that Monday is the unhappiest day. Phone data...
Epic Consulting
October 12, 2017
How to find the "human moments" in EHR implementation (and other lessons)
"Be kind," Ian MacLaren reportedly wrote, "for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." This is definitely true in a stressful or frustrating...
culture
October 11, 2017
Nordic biked 5,867 miles this summer. Don't act like you're not impressed.
If you've noticed that Team Nordic looks a little leaner, tanner, and more windswept this fall, there's a good reason. This summer, we biked 5,867.4...
Epic Consulting
October 10, 2017
How I’m pursuing my dream without giving up my consulting job
I had my first interview with Nordic from a campground in Uruguay. As I tried to converse with my future practice director over the birds singing, a...
population health
October 6, 2017
How the University of Maryland Medical System used its EHR to improve HIV/HCV care
At its heart, health IT is about improving the lives of patients and their families. When an EHR works well, it makes information more accessible,...
Epic Consulting
October 4, 2017
What do our consultants do in their free time? Q&A with Keith Brick
When Keith Brick isn’t consulting for Nordic, he’s often 10,000 feet up a mountainside, trying to get just the right angle to capture a sun-dappled...
Madison
September 28, 2017
Nordic Open House 2017: Video and photos of a star-studded night
The health IT stars were out on Monday night, when 400 guests visited Nordic’s Open House to drink, dance, mingle, and enjoy some of Madison’s best...
go-live
September 27, 2017
How do I plan for a successful EHR go-live? [podcast]
Go-lives are a special experience. They’re exciting, stressful, ultimately bonding events that can either set you up for real success with your EHR –...
project leadership
September 21, 2017
Four common pitfalls in project management
At their best, project managers are the natural “coach” of a team. They don’t just keep track of timelines; they actively guide the project toward...
culture
September 19, 2017
Can you consult from a remote island in the middle of the ocean?
Before becoming a consultant, I worked 12 years for a 14-hospital organization in Indiana. I was fortunate to be a part of a place where leadership...
improved outcomes
September 13, 2017
Using the longitudinal plan of care to drive better outcomes [podcast]
Almost every healthcare organization struggles with achieving a 360-degree view of its patients’ healthcare experience. Even if you have a full grasp...
Epic Consulting
September 6, 2017
Thinking about Managed Services consulting? Here's everything you need to know
Maybe you’re a healthcare consultant who absolutely loves your work but would love to decrease your travel. Perhaps you have a passion for technology...
Madison
September 5, 2017
And the nominees (for the best places to visit in Madison) are …
Prepare to debate over the most egregious snubs, because it’s time for award season – and not everyone can be a winner. Here are Nordic’s nominations...
consulting tips
August 31, 2017
How to get experience outside your original application
Learning new skills has been proven to keep your brain sharp, but that doesn't mean it's easy or even enjoyable. Most of the time, we gravitate...
consulting tips
August 29, 2017
6 tips to help you secure a consulting contract extension
Imagine you had a friend who was getting married, and you wanted to be invited to the wedding. Which do you think would give you a better chance: a...
revenue cycle
August 24, 2017
Why you should prioritize a service area merge for your healthcare organization
If you’ve ever moved in with someone, you know that sharing a home raises a lot of little issues you didn’t expect. Who buys the detergent, for...
consulting tips
August 23, 2017
Will I be able to advance in my career as a consultant?
If you’re considering consulting, you may be wondering, “Will I be able to grow my career and advance to the next level while I consult, or do I have...
consulting tips
August 10, 2017
Starting a new client contract? 6 tips to hit the ground running on-site
First impressions are almost troublingly important. Research shows that we make judgments about trustworthiness, competence, and likeability within a...
change management
August 7, 2017
Why change management is critical to a successful EHR transition [podcast]
If you’ve ever tried to implement a minuscule change in an office, you know that people don’t always respond well to new things. “I hate the new...
Epic Consulting
August 2, 2017
Are you doing these small things to build a great client relationship?
Think about the best relationships in your life. They probably have similar characteristics: A high level of trust, respect, and mutual delight in...
data and analytics
July 28, 2017
What data can reveal about the drivers of hospital readmissions [podcast]
Short-term readmissions are a frequent and costly contributor to healthcare utilization. Readmissions among Medicare patients cost billions in...
Epic Consulting
July 25, 2017
How to nurture your passion project while you consult
“What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver If you’re like most of us, you know that life isn’t just about work....
Advisory
July 21, 2017
How to get two steps ahead of clinical integration issues [13-min. video]
It takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert in something, says Malcolm Gladwell. If that’s true, consultant Sheri Long is almost certainly...
culture
July 19, 2017
10 pieces of advice for new healthcare consultants
After at least five years with Nordic, our “five-year club” consultants have seen a lot – and they want to share their wisdom with those who are...
Epic training
July 18, 2017
The real problem with EHR training isn’t webinars, learning styles, or physician buy-in
Last week, HIStalk’s Dr. Jayne published a great editorial on the problems with EHR training. She called out a few of the problems she sees...
Epic Consulting
July 13, 2017
Preparing for a client interview? Don’t forget these three critical steps.
I was recently discussing the topic of preparing for an interview with a friend, and he gave me this advice: "Step one: be awesome. Step two: Not...
Epic Consulting
July 11, 2017
Are you a brilliant woman? We’d like to talk.
The case for investing in women is strong. Research shows that companies with robust female leadership experience lower turnover, greater return on...
culture
July 6, 2017
How to tell if a consulting company is “the one”
Choosing a consulting company can feel a little bit like online dating. From their online presence, every company seems like it could be a match:...
Madison
June 28, 2017
5 reasons not to miss Nordic’s bash this September
While you’re in Madison this September, don’t forget to stop by Nordic on Monday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. for our annual bash....
implementation
June 27, 2017
How EHR implementations are getting more creative
In the 1930s, Nestlé had a problem: Thousands of pounds of coffee beans were sitting in warehouses in Brazil, driven by a surplus in beans and sales...
culture
June 21, 2017
Why we really, really love our jobs
"They say on your deathbed, you never wish you’d spent more time at the office, but I will. Got to be a lot better than a deathbed.” – Michael Scott,...
implementation
June 15, 2017
6 essential tips for adding on Epic’s home care applications
With the population aging and value-based care an increasing priority, home healthcare is poised for a boom. If you’re like many healthcare...
Epic MyChart
June 13, 2017
How to make MyChart as indispensable as Amazon [podcast]
The average American checks his or her phone 2,617 times a day. Whatever that says about the future of social interactions, it almost certainly means...
Epic optimization
June 9, 2017
Why you shouldn’t delay your EHR upgrade
Let’s face it: As humans, we don’t always do what’s best for us. Thirty-five percent of people have admitted to delaying car repairs; another 25...
documentation
June 7, 2017
Why providers burn out on EHR documentation — and how to fix it
Think back to your go-live. Providers were working hard to learn the new system and get ahead of the curve, and you expected that once go-live was...