03/15/2010
The Health IT Policy Committee's adoption and certification work group recently called for officials to establish a national database of safety hazards related to health IT system malfunctions. A patient safety organization would oversee the database and create safety reports to guide health care providers and policymakers. Government Health IT, Federal Computer Week.
03/15/2010
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices has developed guidelines for computerized physician order entry systems to help health care providers combat drug safety problems. The group recommends a multidisciplinary approach to adopting the guidelines. Modern Healthcare.
03/12/2010
First lady Michelle Obama recently launched the Apps for Healthy Kids competition in an effort to encorage software and game designers to come up with innovative ways to teach children about the importance of health and nutrition through digital mediums. Healthcare IT News.
03/12/2010
FDA is asking 350 hospitals to report health IT system malfunctions that could jeopardize patient safety. The agency specifically is looking to identify problems with electronic systems that help physicians prescribe medications. Huffington Post Investigative Fund.
03/09/2010
Ohio's House of Representatives unanimously passed a measure that would reimburse health care providers up to 75% for certain health IT purchases and training. The bill aims to help the state develop and test a patient-centered medical home system. Government Health IT.
03/04/2010
During the HIMSS 2010 conference, one presentation described how health care providers can avoid lawsuits by maintaining effective health data management systems. Other speakers offered recommendations on health IT purchasing and implementation. Health Data Management et al.
03/04/2010
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has announced that five research teams will receive $2.4 million in grants to study how patient-recorded observations of daily life can be leveraged to treat chronic conditions. The projects involve mobile phone applications, remote patient monitoring tools and personal health record systems. San Francisco Business Times et al.
02/26/2010
Sen. Chuck Grassley has sent letters asking HHS Secretary Sebelius and HIMSS CEO Stephen Lieber about the possibility of increasing FDA's authority to regulate health IT. He also expressed concern about the current lack of attention on health IT-related safety issues. The letters are the latest of Grassley's inquiries into the health IT industry. Health Data Management, Modern Healthcare.
02/24/2010
Tomorrow, Jeffrey Shuren of FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health is expected to testify about health IT system malfunctions that have contributed to patient safety risks. The reports are leading some stakeholders to recommend that the federal government increase its oversight of the health IT industry. Huffington Post Investigative Fund.
02/23/2010
Yesterday, President Obama released a health care reform proposal that includes provisions related to health IT. The plan calls for the federal government to leverage health IT tools and establish databases to monitor health care fraud. In related news, the Obama administration also has announced the creation of a new federal health IT task force. Federal Computer Week et al.
02/23/2010
A four-year study by the U.S. Army is using virtual reality technology to treat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with post-traumatic stress disorder. The study will compare the efficacy of the virtual reality treatment with traditional talk therapy. NextGov.
02/19/2010
Proponents say "smart cards" could help the U.S. boost health care efficiency and reduce medical costs. Countries such as France and Taiwan already use smart cards to store health records, insurance information, prescription histories and other patient data. Newsweek.
02/18/2010
The Department of Veterans Affairs hopes to more than double current funding levels for its home telehealth program during the next two years. The program, which currently serves 35,000 patients, is the largest of its kind in the world. Federal Computer Week.
02/12/2010
A new report suggests that many pharmaceutical companies are looking to forge partnerships with technology firms to develop new health IT tools. Some technologies in development include mobile phone applications, Smartphone tools and "smart pills." Reuters.
02/10/2010
A new contest at the Department of Veterans Affairs invites employees to submit ideas for health IT innovations that could improve the agency's health care practices. VA will evaluate the submissions and request full proposals on 100 of the best ideas. Government Health IT.