08/25/2010
On Tuesday, Vice President Biden revealed a new White House report on the effects of the 2009 economic stimulus package, which provided $20 billion in investments for health IT. For example, the stimulus funding has helped health care providers improve the infrastructure necessary to set up information networks, according to the report. Modern Healthcare et al.
08/24/2010
The Obama administration has announced $32 million in funding for the development of health care services in rural areas. Part of the funding is geared toward increasing capacity to help communities set up telehealth programs for underserved communities. Funding also will be used to establish health care networks for veterans who live in rural areas. The Hill's "Healthwatch" et al.
08/23/2010
Georgia Institute of Technology researchers are working to develop a computerized system to help health care providers diagnose autism earlier in children. Researchers hope to roll out a prototype of the system within the next five years. Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
08/20/2010
Mississippi's Medicaid program has signed a contract with health information exchange company Shared Health to establish electronic health record and electronic-prescribing programs, while North Carolina is adopting a health information exchange system. Healthcare IT News et al.
08/18/2010
California's new telemedicine network -- which aims to link up to 900 health care providers -- is poised to be the largest such system in the U.S. The $30 million project represents a "new era for health care," according to Gov. Schwarzenegger. Sacramento Bee et al.
08/12/2010
More than 40 health care providers have received grants from the Cardinal Health Foundation to improve care quality and efficiency. Several grants apply to health IT-related projects in hospital operating rooms and for medication management. Healthcare IT News.
08/11/2010
Officials with the Arkansas Department of Health are considering proposals to expand the state's existing children's immunization registry to include adults. Such legislation would create a centralized database of residents' vaccination histories. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
08/10/2010
HHS has granted innovation awards to three programs that improve the agency's services, enhance its transparency and advance public engagement. The awards highlight programs that use technology to engage U.S. residents. InformationWeek, ExecutiveGov.
08/09/2010
A growing number of British websites are offering physician consultations and medication without requiring patients to meet with doctors in person or speak to them via phone or webcam. Some experts believe the trend will spread to other countries. AP/Washington Post.
08/05/2010
Nearly 175 million U.S. adults say they use the Internet regularly to search for health-related information, according to a new poll. The figure represents a significant jump from 2009, according to researchers. ComputerWorld, HealthDay.
08/05/2010
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is increasing access to broadband Internet service in the rural areas of 38 states and several American Indian reservations through $1.2 billion in grants and loans. Part of the funding will be used to expand telemedicine services. Federal officials will announce additional funding for related projects in the next few months. Grand Forks Herald et al.
08/04/2010
A software coding event this fall aims to make federal information about drugs more accessible for consumers. The National Library of Medicine plans to reconstruct a database for use by breastfeeding women based on feedback from physicians and researchers. Government Health IT.
07/30/2010
HHS has withdrawn from administrative review a proposed version of its final rule outlining notification guidelines for health data breaches. The interim final rule issued last year remains in effect, according to HHS. Modern Healthcare, AHA News.
07/30/2010
California researchers have developed an implantable wireless sensor capable of measuring blood glucose levels and transmitting data to a portable receiver. The researchers hope the tool receives approval for use by diabetes patients. San Diego Union-Tribune, Reuters.
07/29/2010
General Electric has requested federal permission to use bandwidth to transmit data through remote patient monitoring devices. Aircraft maker Boeing says use of the bandwidth would jeopardize airplane passenger safety. Bloomberg, NPR's "Shots."