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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.

Take the DiabetesMine Design Challenge

Have a creative idea for a new tool to improve life with diabetes? The 2010 DiabetesMine Design Challenge is offering $23,000 in cash, plus consultations with design experts and other prizes. CHCF is a sponsor; entries are due by April 30.

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03/12/2010

Jobs Bill Would Boost Eligibility for Health IT Incentive Program

A Senate jobs bill passed this week includes a provision that would make it easier for certain hospital-based physicians to qualify for federal incentive payments for the "meaningful use" of electronic health records. Currently, the 2009 federal economic stimulus package excludes all hospital-based physicians from the EHR incentive program. Health Data Management et al.

03/11/2010

Panel Weighs Strategies for Balancing Health IT Privacy, Research Goals

The Health IT Policy Committee's strategic planning work group recently discussed how to strengthen health IT privacy while also promoting research. Members suggested allowing consumers to decide how to share their health data. InformationWeek, Federal Computer Week.

03/11/2010

ONC Kicks Off Public Comment Period for EHR Certification Rule

On Thursday, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT published in the Federal Register a proposed rule creating a temporary and a permanent program to approve entities to certify electronic health records. The public will have 30 days to comment on the temporary program and 60 days to comment on the permanent one. Healthcare IT News, Health Data Management.

03/10/2010

Chopra: Government Seeking Examples of Health IT Innovation

During a work group meeting yesterday, federal Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra said officials are looking to the public and private sectors for examples of effective use of health IT that could encourage further adoption. Government Health IT, Modern Healthcare.

03/10/2010

AHA: 'Meaningful Use' Could Be Out of Reach for Some Providers

In its formal comment letter to CMS, the American Hospital Association recommended incorporating greater flexibility into federal requirements for the "meaningful use" of electronic health records. AHA warned that health care providers looking to adopt EHRs might be discouraged by the "all-or-nothing" approach and strict timeframes of the regulations. Modern Healthcare et al.

03/09/2010

Group Develops Online Seminars To Engage Stakeholders in NHIN

The National eHealth Collaborative recently launched a no-cost Webinar series called "NHIN University" to educate stakeholders about the Nationwide Health Information Network. ONC officials will offer presentations for the series. Healthcare IT News, Health Data Management.

03/08/2010

Report: 'Meaningful Use' Could Curb Productivity of Physicians

A recent Medical Group Management Association survey found that more than two-thirds of physicians believe their productivity will decrease as they strive to meet the "meaningful use" requirements for health IT. Many respondents said they expect to encounter difficulty providing patients with electronic copies of their health records within a certain time frame. Modern Healthcare et al.

03/08/2010

Group: Consumers Say 'Meaningful Use' Rules Not Too Burdensome

Consumer Partnership for eHealth recently published consumer and employer responses to 10 common concerns about the "meaningful use" rules. Consumers generally said they do not expect the criteria to be out of reach for health care providers. Healthcare IT News.

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.

03/01/2010

ONC Unveils Web-Based Software To Help Health Providers Report Data

ONC is making available open source software that will allow physicians to create quality reports and analysis on patient health care. The software's quality measure reporting is in line with federal requirements on "meaningful use" of health IT. Government Health IT.

03/01/2010

Survey: 'Meaningful Use' Fueling Investment in Health IT Systems

A new HIMSS survey finds that nearly half of surveyed health care leaders say they anticipate an increase in health IT spending as health care organizations attempt to garner federal incentive payments for the "meaningful use" of electronic health records. HealthLeaders Media.

03/01/2010

CHIME Urges Officials To Reward Progress Toward 'Meaningful Use'

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives is calling for federal officials to adopt an incremental approach that would allow health care providers to meet the "meaningful use" standards in stages. CHIME said current "all-or-nothing" requirements would widen the digital divide between health care organizations with different health IT capacities. Modern Healthcare et al.

03/01/2010

CMS Warns of Financial Challenges With Health Information Exchanges

During a symposium prior to the 2010 HIMSS conference, a CMS official said health data exchanges could place significant burdens on financial information systems. Other symposia discussed "meaningful use," data security and other issues. Health Data Management et al.

02/26/2010

'NHIN Direct' Launched To Allow Simpler Data Exchange Outside NHIN

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT recently announced plans to launch "NHIN Direct" to provide physicians and consumers with simpler ways to exchange health data outside of the Nationwide Health Information Network. ONC also is exploring additional data exchange models. Government Health IT.

02/25/2010

Advisory Panel Backs Flexible Standards for EHR Certification

During yesterday's meeting, the Health IT Standards Committee recommended adding greater flexibility to certification standards for electronic health records. The panel said officials could develop a framework that would allow the certification criteria to evolve over time. The committee is expected to submit its recommendations at the beginning of next month. Government Health IT.

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