08/27/2010
Health care providers facing a shortage of health IT staff could leverage employees' existing skill sets and explore remote hosting and other alternative health IT implementation strategies, according to a new report from Computer Sciences Corp. CMIO, Health Data Management.
08/27/2010
A new Health Affairs study suggests that only 2% of hospitals that have adopted electronic health records actually would qualify for the federal government's "meaningful use" incentive payment program. The study authors note that small, rural and critical access hospitals generally would be less likely to meet the meaningful use criteria than urban facilities. AHA News et al.
08/26/2010
The Medical Group Management Association is recommending that CMS make changes to the agency's incentive programs for electronic prescriptions and electronic health records. The comments address CMS' proposed 2011 physician fee schedule. Modern Healthcare, Health Data Management.
08/26/2010
In an opinion piece, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius writes that progress in IT is transforming health care, noting that government investments in regional extension centers and health data exchanges have helped promote electronic health record adoption. Kaiser Health News.
08/26/2010
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that it is partnering with the Indiana Health Information Exchange to launch a data exchange pilot program for veterans seeking health care treatment. The program is designed to test the framework of the Nationwide Health Information Network and to advance development of VA's Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record. Indianapolis Star et al.
08/25/2010
On Tuesday, Vice President Biden revealed a new White House report on the effects of the 2009 economic stimulus package, which provided $20 billion in investments for health IT. For example, the stimulus funding has helped health care providers improve the infrastructure necessary to set up information networks, according to the report. Modern Healthcare et al.
08/25/2010
The Health IT Policy Committee has created a new work group to develop recommendations on prioritizing quality measures for the Stage 2 requirements for "meaningful use." National Coordinator for Health IT David Blumenthal will chair the work group. Health Data Management.
08/23/2010
The Health IT Policy Committee recently approved a set of recommendations governing how health care providers should share patient data through health information exchanges. However, some panel members raised concerns about whether physicians should be required to offer alternatives to patients who opt out of health information exchange networks. Government Health IT et al.
08/23/2010
The federal government's timeline for health care providers to adopt electronic health records could cause some providers to hastily buy EHRs and others to avoid adopting them entirely, an opinion piece co-authored by former HHS Deputy Secretary Tevi Troy states. Washington Times.
08/20/2010
Mississippi's Medicaid program has signed a contract with health information exchange company Shared Health to establish electronic health record and electronic-prescribing programs, while North Carolina is adopting a health information exchange system. Healthcare IT News et al.
08/20/2010
The Department of Homeland Security is seeking to acquire an electronic health record system from either a government agency or a commercial company to better manage health services for undocumented immigrants and for other government detainees. Government Health IT.
08/20/2010
A recent study finds that electronic health record adoption at relatively large, well-known hospitals in densely populated areas can spur EHR adoption at nearby facilities. Researchers also found that a hospital's "celebrity status" influences neighboring facilities. United Press International, CMIO.
08/19/2010
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released a list of 45 approved steps that certification entities will need to take while evaluating whether an electronic health record system would support "meaningful use" requirements. Health Data Management et al.
08/19/2010
A study finds that adopting basic electronic health record systems does not necessarily translate into improved hospital emergency department wait times, citing possible administrative challenges with partial EHR adoption. The Hill's "Healthwatch," Wall Street Journal's "Health Blog."
08/18/2010
In a letter to state Medicaid directors, CMS details three requirements states must meet to receive federal matching funds for administrative expenses related to the "meaningful use" incentive program. The letter also recommends that states pursue an incremental approach to implementing the electronic health record incentive programs. The Hill's "Healthwatch" et al.