FROM THE FOUNDATION

Store-and-Forward Teledermatology Facts

Dermatologists can serve many more patients by making use of store-and-forward teledermatology systems. This CHCF paper looks at criteria for evaluating these systems, and gives a comparative overview of four available applications.

Clinics Collaborate on EHR Deployment

EHRs can help California's safety-net clinic patients, and collaboration between clinics can significantly smooth the way to successful adoption. This issue brief looks at the lessons learned by eight clinic networks.

Telepsychiatry in the Emergency Room

Telepsychiatry is used in some emergency departments to make the process of evaluating and treating patients with mental health issues more efficient. This paper examines seven ED telepsychiatry programs.

EHRs and PHRs

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02/08/2010

Report: 45 Federal Employee Health Plans Offer Health IT Tools

A new report released by the Office of Personnel Management lists 45 health plans in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program that offer personal health records and online tools for accessing health care cost and quality information. NextGov, Federal News Radio

02/08/2010

N.H. Lawmakers Set To Consider Bill Affirming Patient Rights to EHRs

This week, New Hampshire legislators are scheduled to hear a bill that would provide patients with greater control over their electronic health records. The measure aims to restore state protections that existed prior to the 2003 federal HIPAA privacy rules. Laconia Citizen.

02/05/2010

Physician Questions on 'Meaningful Use' Spur Delays in EHR Adoption

Many physicians in small practices are delaying electronic health record adoption because of uncertainties about the federal "meaningful use" rules. Physicians also have expressed concerns that some systems might not meet federal standards for interoperability or certification. HealthLeaders Media.

02/04/2010

Web Site Offers Case Studies for Successful Use of Health IT Tools

A new Web site profiles 16 health care organizations that have used digital technology to improve health care efficiency, quality and safety. The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and the American Society for Quality launched the site. Health Data Management.

02/04/2010

Blumenthal Outlines HITECH's Ultimate Goals in NEJM Perspective

National Coordinator for Health IT David Blumenthal writes that the primary purpose of the HITECH Act is to improve health care quality and efficiency. Blumenthal also describes how the act aims to help health care providers adopt health IT tools. New England Journal of Medicine.

02/03/2010

Opinion Piece Discusses CIO Objections To New 'Meaningful Use' Rules

Anthony Guerra of healthsystemCIO.com writes that hospital executives are expressing concerns about "meaningful use" provisions that exclude "hospital-based" physicians and require health care providers to meet all objectives before receiving incentive payments. InformationWeek.

02/03/2010

Pentagon, VA Request $2.8B for Health IT Projects in FY 2011

For fiscal year 2011, the Department of Defense is seeking $1.5 billion for electronic health record projects and other health IT initiatives. Meanwhile, the Department of Veterans Affairs is requesting $1.3 billion to improve its HealtheVet system and advance its Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record project. VA also announced plans to sign a five-year licensing deal with Oracle. NextGov.

02/03/2010

JAMA Articles Propose New Frameworks for EHR Safety Innovation

The latest Journal of the American Medical Association includes a perspective piece calling for a framework to monitor electronic health record safety. Another commentary looks at EHRs in the context of new social networking tools. Journal of the American Medical Association.

02/03/2010

ONC Prepares for Health IT Extension Centers, Patient Survey on EHRs

This month, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT is slated to award its first round of grants to establish regional health IT extension centers. ONC also plans to survey patients about their experiences with electronic health records. Health Data Management.

02/02/2010

Opinion: Physician EHR Adoption Key to Patient-Centered Health Care

Steven Schiff -- medical director of invasive cardiology and chair of medical informatics at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in California -- argues that electronic health record adoption is key to allowing "patients to become more active participants in the care process." Huffington Post.

02/02/2010

New York City Taps EHRs To Prevent Certain Health Conditions

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has launched a new program that provides primary care physicians with electronic health records in an effort to help combat preventable health conditions. Pfizer provided most of the funding for the EHRs. United Press International.

02/02/2010

New SSA Contracts Aim To Expand Automation of Disability Claims

The Social Security Administration has awarded $17.4 million to help 15 regional health information networks accelerate electronic disability claims processing. The projects will build on SSA's collaboration with Virginia's regional health information exchange. Government Health IT.

02/01/2010

Report: Joint Military EHR Plan Advancing, But Work Remains

A new Government Accountability Office report finds that the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have achieved interoperability between their electronic health record systems. However, the report also found that the agencies have many challenges to overcome before they can debut their joint virtual lifetime EHR project. Federal Computer Week, Government Health IT.

02/01/2010

NIH Unveils New Policy To Document Radiation Exposure Levels in EHRs

NIH has announced a new policy that would require manufacturers of CT scans and other imaging tests to implement software that would track the amount of radiation patients receive. NIH physicians would record the radiation exposure data in patient EHRs. USA Today, Reuters.

02/01/2010

Experts Raise Concerns About EHR Vendors' Long-Term Viability

Industry analysts are raising concerns that heath care providers are purchasing expensive electronic health record systems from vendors that might go out of business. Some say that federal officials should review health IT vendors' financial viability. Huffington Post Investigative Fund.

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