03/10/2010
In a letter to U.K. officials, the British Medical Association said the National Health Service is uploading health records to a central database too quickly and often without patient consent. BMA is calling for the government to suspend elements of the program. Daily Telegraph, BBC News.
03/01/2010
UpToDate, a medical information company, is working with Harvard's Global Health Delivery Project to provide better access to digital medical information for physicians working in remote areas of developing countries. Boston Globe.
02/18/2010
A new auditor report suggests that the Canadian province of British Columbia made several missteps when planning an electronic health record project. The auditor called for the government to submit regular progress reports. Victoria Times Colonist, Canadian Press/Globe and Mail.
02/17/2010
Australia recently announced that it will issue unique electronic health ID numbers to all residents, despite an earlier government pledge that the country's new electronic health system would be optional for residents. E Health Europe.
02/09/2010
U.S. physicians plan to use telemedicine technology to help deliver
health care to Haiti residents after foreign medical volunteers leave the
country. The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the U.S.
military’s Southern Command are preparing to launch telemedicine efforts. New
York Times.
02/04/2010
A new start-up firm is hoping to replicate the Twitter model by using text messages to let people ask questions of a large group of physicians. The service, Truth On Call, currently is available to the media, health care industry and financial firms, and will open to patients in the coming months. New York Times' "Bits."
01/20/2010
Partners in Health's use of health IT has played a key role in delivering health care to Haiti residents after recent earthquakes. The group uses satellite-based Internet communication tools, electronic health records and a Web-based medication supply management tool. Healthcare IT News.
01/13/2010
Although the United Kingdom's health IT project has been beset by problems since its launch, Scotland has managed to create electronic emergency care summary records for nearly all of its residents. Officials say Scotland's system also maintains high privacy standards. Guardian.
01/12/2010
Denmark's widespread use of health IT has increased efficiency among health care providers and helped to reduce health care costs. Denmark's small size, homogeneous population and regulated health care system make the country somewhat unique. Still, U.S. policymakers are examining whether Denmark's success with health IT can be replicated in the U.S. New York Times.
01/05/2010
David Cameron, leader of the United Kingdom's Tory Party, said his party will pursue electronic health records as part of its plan for the National Health Service. The proposal does not include details about whether private companies would provide the EHRs. E-Health Insider.
12/23/2009
Researchers found that 41% of Canadian clinical trials no longer solely use paper records to record data. The study found trials that utilized electronic data capture tools were generally more accurate and completed in less time than those that did not. United Press International.
12/17/2009
A new study from the European Commission finds that electronic health record and electronic prescribing systems can offer many benefits, such as improved patient safety and increased efficiency. However, the study notes that realizing such benefits often takes years. E-Health Europe.
12/07/2009
U.K. Chancellor Alistair Darling has announced that the National Health Service might suspend part of its electronic health record project in order to reduce public spending. Components of the $20.9 billion program already are four years behind schedule. Times, Financial Times.
11/05/2009
Today, the Commonwealth Fund released a study finding that about 46% of U.S. physicians use electronic health records, compared with more than 94% of physicians in Australia, Italy, the Netherlands and some other industrialized countries. The study authors recommend that the U.S. government institute financial incentives to spur greater EHR adoption. Healthcare IT News et al.
11/04/2009
An auditor recently gave high marks to Canada's national electronic health record project, while acknowledging that there are still some contracting and reporting problems. Meanwhile, Ontario's regional EHR project is under further scrutiny for awarding a contract worth 236 million Canadian dollars, or about $222 million, in the midst of its recent scandal over misspent funds. CP/Winnipeg Free Press et al.