EVENTS

SEP

Policy Committee Enrollment Work Group Meeting

Online

SEP

Health IT Quality Measures Work Group Meeting

Online

SEP

Improving Health Care Through IT, 'Meaningful Use'

Greensboro, N.C.

View All Events

FROM THE FOUNDATION

HIT Adoption Among California Dentists

What's the level of interest among California dentists in adopting health information technology, such as electronic dental health records, and how many are already making use of such systems? This snapshot of survey data provides some answers.

Diabetic Retinopathy: Call for Applications

This project will support clinics in providing remote diabetic retinopathy screenings to patients by funding retinal cameras, software, and expert consultation from the UCB School of Optometry. Applications are being accepted now through October 2010.

Revisiting the HITECH Act, One Year Later

A new report examines the progress implementing the U.S. government's multi-billion-dollar effort to jump-start adoption of information technology tools in the health care industry. Recommendations for further action by the White House and Congress are included.

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iHealthBeat will not publish Monday, Aug. 30, through Monday, Sept. 6.
Publication will resume Tuesday, Sept. 7.

FCC, FDA Partner To Promote Telehealth, Clarify Regulation

The Federal Communications Commission has partnered with FDA in an effort to encourage the use of wireless-enabled telehealth devices. The two agencies are seeking to offer clear standards and guidelines and to clarify their jurisdiction over wireless medical devices with the goal of improving the quality of health care. The Hill's "Hillicon Valley," InformationWeek.

Lawmakers Raise Issues on 'Meaningful Use' at Congressional Hearing

On Tuesday, lawmakers expressed concern about how the final "meaningful use" rule groups hospitals under the same ownership as one entity and questioned whether the certification process would be implemented in time to meet the rules' deadlines. AHA News, CQ HealthBeat.

National Health Security Plan From HHS Includes Elements for Health IT

The new HHS initiative stresses the need to link regional health IT systems and to have electronic health records track health-related events in emergency situations. The plan is part of HHS' National Health Security Strategy. Government Health IT.

CCHIT Offers New Certification Programs for Specialized EHRs

The Certification Commission for Health IT has launched new programs to certify electronic health records used in behavioral health, dermatology, and long-term and post-acute care. The new programs are separate from official certification for the "meaningful use" of EHRs. Modern Healthcare et al.

CMS OKs $10M Demo for Imaging Decision Support Systems

In January, CMS will start a $10 million demonstration project of imaging software packages aligned with clinical decision support systems, intended to help health care providers decide what type of scans and tests to order for patients. HealthLeaders Media.

Health IT Community Reacts to Final Rule on Temporary E-Health Record Certification

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Karen Bell of CCHIT, Crystal Kallem of AHIMA, David Muntz of CHIME and Robert Tennant of MGMA discuss the final rule on the temporary electronic health record certification program.

Running Time: 5:47

DATA POINTS

What Percentage of Health Care Providers Recommend Health Websites to Patients?

Eighty-three percent of online registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses report recommending health-related websites to patients in 2010, according to a new report. In comparison, 59% of online physicians say they recommend health-related websites to patients.

FEATURES

Mental Health Providers Excluded From Health IT Incentives

by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Senior Editor

Under the HITECH Act, many mental and behavioral health providers are ineligible to receive incentive payments for the meaningful use of electronic health records. A bill by Reps. Patrick Kennedy and Tim Murphy seeks to change that.

COMMENTS (1)

"The exclusion of mental health providers from stimulus monies is unfortunate. Many studies continue to show pervasive links between behavioral health and long-term utilization of health care services. For example, abused women have been shown to us..."

- Linda Toche-Manley

PERSPECTIVES

'Meaningful Use' Marks Solid Start for Federal Health IT Efforts

by Steven Findlay

Federal officials got it pretty right with last week's release of the final rule on the "meaningful use" of electronic health records. The rule offers objectives that matter, have public support and can be significantly changed by EHRs.