05/23/2012
Yesterday, HHS announced that the U.S. and Mexico have agreed to adopt technical guidelines on sharing information for various public health activities. Mexico also has become the fourth country to join CDC's international Laboratory Response Network. Modern Healthcare, Examiner.
05/22/2012
The National Cancer Institute is working with Mobile Commons on a new text messaging campaign aimed at helping teenagers and young adults quit smoking. The program sends texts based on the user's mood, smoking status and planned quit date. Healthcare IT News, Mobile Commons release.
05/21/2012
Individuals who undergo genetic tests do not seek significantly more or less follow-up care, according to an NIH-led study. NIH said the study is the first to use electronic health records to measure how genetic testing affects health care behaviors. Modern Healthcare et al.
05/04/2012
Researchers from the University of California-Los Angeles have created an online game that trains players to identify malaria-infected red blood cells. The game is designed to use crowdsourcing techniques to help improve malaria diagnoses. Healthcare IT News, Computerworld.
05/03/2012
Pennsylvania-based Geisinger Health System has started using its database of patient records to assess whether natural gas drilling harms residents. A Geisinger official said the project could contribute scientific data to the debate on fracking's health effects. Bloomberg.
05/02/2012
A new analysis finds that more studies are being registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, but the website still is missing important data. Compared with the older studies on the site, a larger percentage of the newer studies failed to report their primary purposes, the analysis finds. MedPage Today.
05/02/2012
A new project led by researchers from the State University of New York-Buffalo aims to use data analytics technology from IBM and Revolution Analytics to identify various clinical, genetic and environmental factors that could play a role in multiple sclerosis. InformationWeek.
04/27/2012
According to a Federal Register notice, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is seeking public comment on its plans to develop a Registry of Patient Registries. AHRQ said the registry aims to promote collaboration among researchers. Health Data Management, Federal Register.
04/25/2012
A new study finds that text message reminders sent to parents could help boost influenza immunization rates among children and teenagers. According to the study, personalized text message reminders increased flu vaccination rates by about 4%. Reuters, MedPage Today.
04/20/2012
A newly revised draft of HHS' National Action Plan To Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections emphasizes how health IT could play a role in monitoring and preventing HAIs. The draft action plan notes that clinical decision support tools in electronic health record systems could generate HAI prevention reminders. Modern Healthcare, Health Data Management.
04/13/2012
A report from the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General finds that a lack of interoperability between two electronic health record systems has led to problems tracking controlled substances prescribed to U.S. Marines. The report also outlines concerns about an inability to cross-check medications prescribed by civilian and military clinicians. Modern Healthcare, NextGov.
04/12/2012
An online tool developed by a Harvard Medical School researcher could help trained analysts diagnose children with autism in minutes instead of hours. The tool relies on computer algorithms, an online parent questionnaire and a video clip of the child. HealthDay et al.
04/05/2012
In an opinion piece, American Medical Association President Peter Carmel urges Congress to pass legislation that would strengthen state-based electronic prescription drug monitoring programs and promote data exchange among such programs. The Hill's "Congress Blog."
04/03/2012
During a conference last week, experts called for the creation of a national online registry to facilitate the matching process for paired kidney donations and other donor exchanges. Experts say such a registry could help arrange thousands of kidney transplants annually. New York Times.
04/03/2012
The Joint Commission has launched an online portal to give health care providers access to data and tools on health care-associated infections. The portal includes information on common infections and prevention strategies. Modern Physician, Health Data Management.