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

Health IT Projects Nab Funds in New Round of Innovation Awards

Last week, HHS announced $772 million in Health Care Innovation Awards for 81 projects. Combined with the 26 awards announced last month, CMS expects the 107 total projects to reduce health care spending by about $1.9 billion over the next three years. Some of the latest awards will support the creation of a health data exchange and an informatics center. Modern Healthcare et al.

Pentagon, VA Seek Input on EHR Application To Help Manage Lab Tests

The departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are seeking information about the creation of a laboratory information tool within their integrated electronic health record system. The application would help manage lab test orders and deliver test results to health care providers. NextGov.

Venture Capital Firms Investing in Mobile Health App Companies

More venture capital firms are investing in startup companies that offer mobile medical applications, such as apps that allow physicians to view electrocardiograms on their iPhones and tools that help home health care providers access and record patient data. Bloomberg.

ONC Official: Health Gaming on 'Radar' of Federal Government

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT is hoping that health gaming can help boost patient engagement. According to an ONC official, health games can help patients visualize their progress as they work to overcome health challenges. Healthcare IT News.

Utah Professor Takes Issue With Hospital's Data-Sharing Policies

A University of Utah professor says she believes a hospital shared her personal data with the state's Medicaid program prior to a large Medicaid data breach. The professor is filing a complaint with HHS' Office of Civil Rights and the Federal Trade Commission. Salt Lake Tribune.

Health Care Industry Struggles With Usability of Electronic Health Record Systems

Former National Coordinator for Health IT David Blumenthal, Jacob Reider, acting CMO at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, Matt Quinn of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Rod Piechowski of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and Joseph Scherger of Eisenhower Medical Center in California spoke with iHealthBeat about efforts to boost the usability of electronic health record systems.

Running Time: 6:01

DATA POINTS

Are Hospitals Looking To Keep, Replace or Purchase New Business Intelligence Systems?

About 33% of surveyed hospital leaders said their institution plans to continue with its current business intelligence system for the next three years, while 33% said their institution plans to buy a new BI system and 19% said their institution plans to replace its current BI system, according to a report by research firm KLAS.

FEATURES

Report IDs 11 Promising Technologies To Tackle Chronic Disease

by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Managing Editor

A new report by NEHI identifies emerging technologies that have the potential to lower costs associated with chronic disease, while improving health care access and quality. The report also outlines key barriers that, if unaddressed, could derail adoption of these promising technologies.

PERSPECTIVES

Portals Hold Promise for Patient Engagement but Challenges Remain

by Heath Bell and Fred Bazzoli

Few people disagree with the need to get more medical information into the hands of patients and their families, and many believe that patient portals are the easiest way to provide this access. But, as with other areas involving health IT, there are challenges and fears.

COMMENTS (2)

"I enjoyed your article very much about the nuances of designing patient portals. Our company works with clinical diagnostic labs, designing portals to deliver lab results to providers, but, also providing functionality for the provider to push to th..."

- Amy Paoleti