EVENTS

MAY

Summit About Wireless Health Convergence

San Diego

MAY

Webinar About Health IT Privacy, Security Risks

Online

JUN

'Datapalooza' Conference on Health Data Tools

Washington, D.C.

View All Events

FROM THE FOUNDATION

All Over the Map

A newly updated interactive map unleashes data to highlight medical treatment variation across California. Now with breast cancer, prostate cancer, and spine procedures, this CHCF-sponsored research shows that practice patterns vary dramatically from place to place.

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Friday

HHS Extends Deadline for State Insurance Exchange Blueprints

HHS has announced that states now have until Dec. 14 to submit detailed plans for establishing online health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act. The extended deadline aims to help states obtain the technical support necessary to pursue their own exchanges. The deadline extension will not affect the anticipated January 2014 launch of the exchanges. Washington Post's "Wonkblog" et al.

FCC Committee Urges Mobile Health Panel To Consider Underserved

The Federal Communications Commission's mHealth Task Force should consider the needs of people with disabilities and other underserved populations when developing recommendations, according to a motion adopted by an FCC advisory committee. FierceMobileHealthcare.

Researchers Use Data Mining To Help Identify Alzheimer's Biomarkers

A study in the Journal of Translational Medicine finds that data mining can help researchers identify biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. One study author notes that the same approach could be used to study other health conditions. Clinical Innovation & Technology, FierceHealthIT.

Residency Programs, Medical Schools Check Social Media Profiles

A new study finds that some medical school and residency program admissions officers use social networking websites to research applicants. However, few admissions officers said they had rejected an applicant because of social media postings. Kaiser Health News' "Capsules" et al.

Experts Weigh Benefits, Risks of Using Biometric Scanning Technology

Experts are divided about the benefits of using biometric scanning technology. While some experts say biometric scanning tools can help to better identify and manage patients, others warn that using such technology could increase the risk of identity theft. New York Times.

Efforts To Improve Consumer Access to Electronic Health Records Are Taking Off

Lygeia Ricciardi of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, Emily Cronbach, a Kaiser Permanente physician, Lisa Adams, a Kaiser Permanente patient, Patricia Knight of Pacific Coast Health Advocacy and Linda Garvin of Patient Advocate Bay Area spoke with iHealthBeat about efforts to boost consumers' access to their electronic health records.

Running Time: 5:23

DATA POINTS

How Many Surveyed Hospitals Had Within a Certain Range of Facebook 'Likes' in 2011?

In 2011, 26 out of 140 surveyed hospitals had between zero and five Facebook "likes," while 15 surveyed hospitals had more than 10,000 Facebook likes, according to a recent report by Simon Associates Management Consultants.

FEATURES

Despite ONC's Effort, Comparing PHR Privacy Policies Still Challenging

by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Managing Editor

Use of personal health records is expected to increase with Stage 2 of the meaningful use program. However, comparing PHR privacy policies remains challenging. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT's Model Privacy Notice was designed to address the problem, but vendor adoption has been extremely limited.

PERSPECTIVES

Leveraging Emerging Technologies for Improved Patient Engagement and Safety

by Christina Thielst

Emerging technologies offer opportunities for new and innovative strategies that will transform the way health care institutions and professionals communicate with their patients and with the rest of the care team.