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Quest Diagnostics Taps ELINCS for Data Hub

Quest Diagnostics, a leading provider of diagnostic testing, has implemented the ELINCS lab standard in its national data exchange hub, making it easier for physicians to electronically access Quest Diagnostics lab results.

Paper to Electronic Charts Made Easy

Community clinics with experience making the transition from paper to electronic records share the strategies, techniques, and insights they learned along the way.

Telehealth Project to Provide Dental Care

Low-income families will receive free dental care, thanks to the Virtual Dental Home, a telehealth project supported by CHCF and other funders. The four-year pilot project will eventually operate in nine California communities.

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03/17/2010

Study Points to Drop in Rx Errors Following E-Prescribing Adoption

Electronic prescribing systems helped a group of New York primary care practices reduce prescription errors over the course of a year, researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College found. The federal stimulus package includes funds to spur e-prescribing. Reuters Health.

03/17/2010

Groups Urge Changes to 'Meaningful Use' at End of Comment Period

The American Hospital Association supplemented its previous "meaningful use" comments with new input on electronic health record certification. An EHR vendor group and an association of health IT executives also sent in comments. HealthLeaders Media, Health Data Management.

03/17/2010

FCC Unveils U.S. Broadband Plan Promoting Health IT, Telehealth

The Federal Communications Commission's new blueprint for extending high-speed broadband connectivity nationwide includes recommendations designed to boost health IT adoption and promote telemedicine technologies.The 2009 federal economic stimulus package directed FCC to develop the plan. Government Health IT, Federal Computer Week.

03/16/2010

Physicians Call for More Flexibility in Achieving 'Meaningful Use' Criteria

On the final day of a public comment period, the American Medical Association, the Medical Group Management Association and other physician groups submitted comments calling for CMS to scale back the "meaningful use" requirements. Modern Healthcare et al.

03/16/2010

HHS To Award $162M for State Health Information Exchanges

In its latest grant announcement, HHS identified 16 states and state-designated entities that will receive funds for health information exchange activities. With the new awards, all U.S. states and eligible territories will have received health data exchange funds from the 2009 federal economic stimulus package. Healthcare IT News et al.

03/16/2010

Consortium Lobbies for Consumer-Focused 'Meaningful Use' Rules

A number of groups are urging CMS to preserve elements of proposed standards for "meaningful use" of health IT that focus on consumers. The groups maintain that the patient-centric elements of the criteria will not be onerous for health care providers. Government Health IT.

03/15/2010

Drummond Group Seeks To Become EHR Testing And Certification Body

Officials at the Drummond Group said the organization plans to seek the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT's seal of approval to test and certify electronic health record systems under the requirements of the 2009 federal economic stimulus package. Healthcare IT News.

03/15/2010

CCHIT Calls for Scaling Back Scope of Federal EHR Certification Rules

The Certification Commission for Health IT sent comments calling for federal officials to refine the required standards for electronic health record certification. Meanwhile, eHealth Initiative and Premier submitted comments on CMS' proposed "meaningful use" rule. Modern Healthcare et al.

03/12/2010

Standards Panel Calls for Increased Monitoring of Security in EHR Modules

The Health IT Standards Committee is urging vendors and users of electronic health record modules to monitor the products for potential security breaches. The recommendation is part of the panel's comments on the interim final rule on EHR certification. Government Health IT.

03/09/2010

California Taps New Not-For-Profit Group To Run Health Data Exchange

California officials have selected the new organization Cal eConnect to develop a statewide health data exchange. The project aims to help health care providers qualify for incentive payments from the 2009 federal economic stimulus package. San Francisco Business Times, HealthLeaders Media.

03/08/2010

AAFP Asks CMS for Significant Changes to 'Meaningful Use' Criteria

Although the American Academy of Family Physicians said it agrees with many of the stated goals of the proposed "meaningful use" criteria, it also believes significant changes should be made to make the rules more workable and reduce redundancy. Modern Healthcare.

03/03/2010

NIST Advances Plans To Test Health Care Data Exchange Standards

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking contractors to test health information exchange standards to determine how effectively they meet the needs of providers and health organizations. The stimulus package requires the testing. Government Health IT.

03/03/2010

Blumenthal Announces Proposed Rule on Certifying EHR Systems

During the HIMSS 2010 conference yesterday, National Coordinator for Health IT David Blumenthal announced that ONC has released a notice for proposed rulemaking on electronic health record certification. Also at the conference, the Federal Health Architecture showcased interoperability projects, and several EHR vendors unveiled new applications. Health Data Management et al.

03/02/2010

FCC: Health Data Exchanges To Need More Broadband Support

The Federal Communications Commission recently conducted a survey that found that the U.S. lacks sufficient broadband Internet connections to facilitate effective health information exchange. FCC recommends creating broadband access funds and changing reimbursement policies to help develop a stronger broadband infrastructure for the health care industry. Government Health IT.

03/02/2010

Military Health System To Launch EHR Platform for White House Sites

During the HIMSS conference, Military Health System officials announced plans to deploy an electronic health record system for the White House and other sites. Other speakers offered advice on applying for health IT grants and securing patient data. Government Health IT et al.

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