05/08/2008
Hoping to apply pressure to policymakers and doctors who haven't yet adopted electronic prescriptions, pharmacies are taking their campaign directly to the consumer with an educational/lobbying Web site, and signs and brochures in thousands of drugstores across the country. By George Lauer, iHealthBeat Features Editor
05/01/2008
Internet infrastructure in the U.S. moved up in global rankings released last month. With a rural broadband health project under way and new political fervor for health IT brewing, some experts say prospects for online health applications are improving as well. By George Lauer, iHealthBeat Features Editor
04/25/2008
Although not exactly as planned, last week's fifth annual Health Information Privacy and Security Week did its job with a flurry of headline-making security breaches, a rare conviction in a medical record snooping case and some fundamental questions about the relationship between commercial interests and digital medical records. By George Lauer, iHealthBeat Features Editor
04/18/2008
Insurers and physician groups in the U.S. and Canada are moving forward with plans for online medical treatment, but it's probably premature to say virtual doctor visits will be the norm anytime soon. Technology is changing too fast to make any predictions, experts say. By George Lauer, iHealthBeat Features Editor
04/09/2008
Many attempts to adopt IT systems for community health clinics have hit funding and staffing bumps. However, the D.C. Primary Care Association's project to link its community clinics via an electronic health record system might be a model for other communities seeking to improve medical services for their low-income, uninsured populations. By Zach Brennan, iHealthBeat Staff Writer
04/03/2008
Health reform's prominence in the national debate during this election year has helped raise public consciousness about technology's growing role in health care. But two key ingredients needed to make reform happen -- legislation and money -- are not flowing freely. By George Lauer, iHealthBeat Features Editor
03/27/2008
Federal health officials are hitting the road this spring to try to help physicians nationwide go digital. The road show kicks off a five-year demonstration project aimed at showing the economic and medical advantages of electronic health records. By George Lauer, iHealthBeat Features Editor
03/19/2008
Stakeholders stress a consumer-conscious, global approach as the American Health Information Community begins the transition from government advisory agency to self-sustaining private-public partnership. By George Lauer, iHealthBeat Features Editor
03/12/2008
Remote monitoring technology, which allows doctors and nurses to administer intensive care miles away from patients, has grown quickly in the U.S. over the last few years and now is poised for global growth. By George Lauer
03/06/2008
"Systemness" -- coined by Integrated Healthcare Association -- describes a very coordinated system, beyond just interconnectivity. The word, as well as government's role in health IT, was discussed recently at the National Pay for Performance Summit in Los Angeles. By George Lauer
02/21/2008
On the path to improving patient safety, eliminating hospital-acquired infections has become the latest target of a number of state initiatives, as well as of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Many states and hospitals have been relying on IT systems to collect and report data on the infections. By Zach Brennan, iHealthBeat Staff Writer
02/14/2008
Experts predict a steady road for health IT investment in 2008, though they say that state and local governments, as well as hospitals, will need to be strategic about where they put their IT dollars. One expert suggested states look to invest in IT through their Medicaid programs, while others point hospitals toward investing in skilled IT staff. By Bryn Lansdowne, iHealthBeat Contributor
02/08/2008
Policymakers and payers often tout health care transparency Web sites as ways to reduce costs and boost quality, but some experts warn that such claims shouldn't be taken at face value. Few consumers are using the sites, and those who are often have trouble deciphering the information. By Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Associate Editor
02/01/2008
Use of telemedicine is becoming a more common way to treat chronic diseases among specific underserved populations, such as Hispanics. Two programs in California have had success using the technology to stave off development of more serious and costly conditions among people with diabetes. By Mike Hartnett, iHealthBeat Senior Staff Writer
01/29/2008
Craig Froude, executive vice president of WebMD Health Services, spoke to iHealthBeat about the how the growing consumer-driven health care market is increasing demand for online tools to help patients manage their health, reduce costs and boost efficiency. By Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Associate Editor