85.7 F
San Fernando
Friday, Mar 29, 2024

New Software Documents Nurse Visits Via GPS

Van Nuys software developer Data Soft Logic recently released a visit verification app for home health agencies that uses a Global Positioning System, or GPS, to document nursing visits. When a nurse or caretaker from a home care, therapy or hospice agency makes a house call, he or she can check in via cellphone, and the Verify Centre Home Health app will record arrival time as well as location. The nurse also can use the app to chart and record information during the visit and at the point of care. Then after the appointment, he or she can check out through the app, and all of the recorded information will be synchronized back to Data Soft’s programs used by home health agencies to manage their businesses. In the event a patient lives in an area without GPS signal, the app has a signature feature that allows the patient to sign as proof that the caretaker was there. Moreover, all the charting features remain available even without satellite signal and will sync back to the web-based software products as soon as the signal is recovered. “If you can get all the vitals and charting done right on the spot and it is sent back immediately, you are eliminating a lot of wasted time and errors,” said Sam Khan, board chairman at Data Soft. The company has another product in the pipeline and is currently developing software for assisted living facilities, which is slated for release in the first quarter of 2017. Data Soft is using the Verify Centre Home Health app as the backbone for the assisted living software, which will utilize the app’s GPS function and syncing capabilities. Located at 16037 Sherman Way, Data Soft has over 475 clients, including Serenity Home Health Care Inc. of Woodland Hills. Data Soft’s products are compliant with all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements. Preferring Medtronic Health insurer UnitedHealthcare has named medical device manufacturer Medtronic Inc. as its preferred, in-network provider of insulin pumps for policyholders covered by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan — the company’s Medicare plan — as well as certain non-government-paid plans. The deal does not include members of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage and members of Sierra Health and Life, a subsidiary of Minnesota-based United. Medtronic is headquartered in Dublin, but the company’s diabetes division, Medtronic Diabetes, is based in Northridge. Starting July 1, adults 18 and over insured by the designated United programs will only be covered for Medtronic-brand insulin pumps and will no longer be eligible for devices by other manufacturers. For members who are currently using another insulin pump by a competing brand, the device and related supplies will remain covered as long as the pump is functioning properly and is under warranty. However once the pump breaks or is no longer under warranty, the member will be obligated to make the switch to a Medtronic pump. Per the agreement, multiple models of Medtronic insulin pumps, including the MiniMed 530G pump, will be made available to members. The contract is part of a budding relationship between the two companies that aims to improve diabetes care and promote holistic approaches to health management. “Our two companies will work together to help advance diabetes care and find new ways to analyze the total cost of care for diabetes management, including how advanced technologies and patient support can improve individuals’ care plans,” said Medtronic in a statement. “In addition, we aspire to bring a value-based approach to diabetes care that tracks clinical outcomes for UnitedHealthcare members on insulin pumps and places greater focus on quality.” Medicare Fraud Last month, a Valencia doctor pleaded guilty to submitting more than $2.4 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare. Dr. Gary Ordog, 61, admitted that he filed claims for visits that never occurred and services never rendered. He even submitted claims on dates that he was traveling outside the country and for patients who were deceased at the time or service. Between 2009 and 2015, Medicare paid about $1.3 million of the fraudulent claims submitted by Ordog, according to the plea agreement. On April 28, Ordog pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud in a Los Angeles federal court. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 18. However, this isn’t Ordog’s first run-in with the law. In 2005, the Medical Board of California brought 15 charges of professional misconduct against him. He was accused of misdiagnosing patients with heavy metal toxicity and misrepresenting his experience and credentials in the toxicology field, according to the case filing. In 2006, the board suspended Ordog’s license for 90 days and put him on a seven-year probation. Staff Reporter Stephanie Henkel can be reached at (818) 316-3130 or [email protected].

Featured Articles

Related Articles