MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'ahrq'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:01:25 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159350&cid=t_109732_113_f&fid=39278&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogsite.mdbuyline.com%2F%3Fp%3D337 Medical Home is a reimbursable approach to managing patient care, and CMS has financially supported the approach with steady physican payment increases. First studied as a tool for managing patients with chronic illness, it has transitioned to inpatient care with the intent of lowering costs and reducing readmissions. One survey on the Society of Hospital Medicine’s website indicated that 78% of billed services by hospitalist and primary care physicians fall under codes CPT codes 99221-23, 99231-33, and 99238-9. These evolve around evaluating a patient’s inpatient care and discharge. What’s promising is in the last five years, these have seen increases ranging from 40% to 50%, which is pretty significant since other areas have seen mandated cuts. I asked Dr. Chunliu Zhan, MD, PhD, ... MD Buyline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159350 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:11:50 +0100 5159350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4780485&cid=t_109732_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FU_8pduWA8bk%2F How soon might comparative effectiveness offer significant change? And which entities will guide these changes when they begin? Inside the nation’s capitol, CER has become something of a mantra among those hoping to drive down health care costs. But beyond the Beltway, CER appears not to be nearly as potent a concept, for now anyway. To gauge the extent to which CER is perceived, the National Pharmaceutical Council, a policy and research organization supported by pharma, surveyed 111 people from federal agencies, consumer and trade groups, insurers and academics, among others. And NPC found nearly 60 percent are “very familiar” with CER, but only 30 percent believe CER will lead to moderate improvements in health care decision-making in the next year. One reason for the lack... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4780485 Tue, 03 May 2011 13:36:25 +0100 4780485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693241&cid=t_109732_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F07%2Ftwo-new-ahrq-reports-address-autism-therapies-fetal-surgery%2F Two new reports came out of the AHRQ Evidence-Based Practice Center at Vanderbilt this week, one a review of the effectiveness of various therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders, and the other a technical brief on maternal-fetal surgical procedures. I’m always enthused to see new reports coming out of this EPC, because even if I haven’t personally worked on the topic, my colleagues have – and they’re great, smart folks. And, hey, the gracious acknowledgement in the autism report doesn’t hurt, either. [page iv] The autism review looked at literature from the last 10 years in order to evaluate therapies in children ages 2-12 years with autism spectrum disorders. The therapies considered include behavioral, educational, drug, speech/language, diet... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693241 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:56:40 +0100 4693241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653331&cid=t_109732_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fahrq-healthcare-access-and-racial-disparities-not-improving%2F2011.03.29 According to American Medical News, the U.S. health system is demonstrating better performance on most measures of health care quality, but it’s failing to improve access to care or cut racial and ethnic health disparities, according to two reports released in February by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.  “Quality of care continues to improve, but at a slow rate,” said Ernest Moy, MD, leader of the team at AHRQ that produced the reports.  ”In contrast to that, focusing on issues of access to care, not much has changed.  Focusing on disparities in care, not much changed…Those are bigger problem areas than overall quality of care.”  Measures related to hospital quality are showing the most improvement.  For example, in 2005, just 42% of patients with heart att... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653331 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:00:25 +0100 4653331 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249116&cid=t_109732_113_f&fid=39278&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogsite.mdbuyline.com%2F%3Fp%3D115 Although value and quality may be an old cliché that always turns up in car ads, for a patient paying the bill, shouldn’t they have the same mindset for a new knee or hip that costs as much as a car?  Starting Oct. 1, 2012, CMS will institute the national hospital value-based purchasing (VBP) program as mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).  It’s amazing how some hospitals really get the connection that technology can have a large impact on value and patients’ outcomes.  I was planning for an emerging technology webinar with the corporate vice president of innovation for a large hospital chain, and one of his concerns was technology and the upcoming value-based purchasing legislation.  So, what is at stake?  Hospitals face a loss of 1% of their Med... MD Buyline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249116 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:32:18 +0100 4249116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4172061&cid=t_109732_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Famia-board-%25e2%2580%259chold-harmless%25e2%2580%259d-clause-in-emr-contracts-is-unethical%2F2010.11.16 Last Friday the board of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) published a position paper in its journal saying that the “hold harmless” clause is unethical. One of the paper’s authors is Dr. Danny Sands, currently President of the Society for Participatory Medicine. I hope to write more about it this week, after attending the AMIA conference in DC, but here’s the basic issue: – For ages, makers of electronic medical record systems (EMR) have insisted on a “hold harmless” clause in the contracts a system buyer must sign. It says, in essence, that if any harm comes to anyone because of a system problem, the buyer (the hospital) will hold the manufacturer harmless. – In other words, if anything goes wrong with the system and someone gets hurt, it’s not... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4172061 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:00:17 +0100 4172061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159175&cid=t_109732_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F12%2Fpublic-input-requested-on-upcoming-review-of-nitrous-oxide-for-labor-pain-relief%2F AHRQ is about to do a comparative effectiveness review to look at the evidence on nitrous oxide for labor pain relief, and is soliciting public comment on the key questions that will be reviewed. This will help make sure that when the review gets started, the right questions are being asked and answered. This project is of particular interest to me – in addition to my interest the topic itself – because I am part of the project team conducting the review. More details are at Our Bodies Our Blog; comments close December 8, 2010. Filed under: Access, Rights, & Choice, Birth, Drugs, Government (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159175 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 14:09:49 +0100 4159175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4155399&cid=t_109732_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F8U5t5tpWzHs%2F The latest chapter in the Provenge saga emerged yesterday evening when the Agency for Healthcare and Research Quality issued an analysis of the prostate cancer vaccine, which is one of the most controversial medical and investor stories over the past three years. Not surprisingly, the report did little to quell the inflamed passions that characterize the debate over the Dendreon product. Why? The AHRQ determined there is only “moderate” evidence that Provenge helps patients. And the analysis was released just a week before a widely anticpiated meeting to be held by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is conducting its own analysis to determine coverage after questions were reportedly raised several months ago by regional Medicare contractors. The meeting, itse... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4155399 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:58:30 +0100 4155399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119218&cid=t_109732_113_f&fid=39278&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogsite.mdbuyline.com%2F%3Fp%3D75 I have been waiting patiently for the Comparative Effectiveness Research program to get into full swing.  Now, we are finally starting to see the first results of the $1.1 billion provided through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for comparative effectiveness research, and what a wealth of knowledge! Technology is constantly evolving, and determining what is the most effective in terms of costs and outcomes can be a challenge.  Let me save you from reading the full 381-page MedPAC 2010 report to congress and summarize a portion of it for you.  According to the report, new technology is a primary factor causing the rising healthcare costs because it increases demand.  But, on the other hand, improved outcomes resulting from the new technologies can provide long-... MD Buyline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119218 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:59:46 +0100 4119218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3822920&cid=t_109732_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhat-a-68-chevy-impala-can-tell-us-about-primary-care%2F2010.08.04 When I was a much younger man I had a 1968 Chevy Impala. I loved its V-8 engine and spaciousness, but I paid a steep price for it. It consumed gas like a drunk on a binge. It was prone to breakdowns, usually in the left lane of a busy highway. Even as it consumed my limited financial resources, I couldn’t count on it to reliably get me to where I wanted to be. Yet I held onto it. One day, though, its transmission gave out, and I finally had to resign myself to buying a new, more reliable, more modern, and efficient vehicle. Yet to this day, I miss my clunker. I am reminded of this when I think about the state of primary care today. Many of us are attached to a traditional primary care model that may no longer be economically viable — for physicians, for patients, and for purcha... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3822920 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:00:00 +0100 3822920 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494386&cid=t_109732_113_f&fid=34695&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicalConnectivityConsulting%2F%7E3%2Ft4ILgmIXhPk%2F This report reviews the work to date of two AHRQ demonstration grant recipients, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Yale University School of Medicine. In each of these projects the intent was, at least in part, to implement two or more existing practice guidelines as on line and integrated component of the EMR. In the context of these projects CDS means the provision of clinical knowledge and patient-specific information to help make decisions that enhance patient care. While this type of general statement remains somewhat vague as to what constitutes such help, the report comments further that in a CDS “the patient’s information is matched to a clinical knowledge base, and patient-specific assessments or recommendations are then communicated effectively at appropriate times d... Medical Connectivity Consulting blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494386 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:56:36 +0100 3494386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3075765&cid=t_109732_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Frr47beVX4Cs%2F The average cost for an American between 18 and 44 years of age was double the inflation-adjusted average for 1996, according to recently released data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, or AHRQ. To be precise, the cost went from $79 to $161. Prescription meds also accounted for what AHRA calls a “notably larger share of all health care expenses” for this age group in 2006 - it was 18 percent compared with 10 percent in 1996. This occurred even though the proportion who purchased prescription drugs dropped over the same period from 60 percent to 54 percent. For Americans age 18 to 44, health care expenses totaled $231 billion in 2006 or about $40 billion more than in 1996 after accounting for inflation; a smaller proportion incurred health care expenses in 200... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3075765 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:37:48 +0100 3075765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2761804&cid=t_109732_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F03%2Fnew-evidence-report-on-treatment-of-overactive-bladder-in-women%2F AHRQ has posted a new evidence report, Treatment for Overactive Bladder in Women. For these reports, a team of folks reviews and evaluates the quality of the existing evidence on a topic, and looks at how that evidence addresses some key questions – in this case on prevalence and incidence of overactive bladder, treatment outcomes, comparisons of treatments, modifiers of outcomes, and costs. I am particularly enthused about this one not only because it’s related to women’s health, but because it was done by the Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) at my larger workplace, and I was actually involved in this topic through input on the search strategy and reviewing abstracts and full-text papers for inclusion/exclusion in the analysis. My colleague Rebecca Jerome was more d... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2761804 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:21:45 +0100 2761804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2353733&cid=t_109732_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F21%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-new-report-on-c-section-hospital-birth-trends%2F From HCUP, a new report documenting trends in hospital birth, with especially dramatic increases in repeat c-section from 1997-present. Posted in Birth (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2353733 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:50:09 +0100 2353733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2200357&cid=t_109732_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2009%2F02%2F20%2Fhitech-act-gives-hhs-2-billion-of-discretionary-funds%2F The HITECH Act gives Health and Human Services (HHS) 90 days to develop a plan to allocate $2 Billion of discretionary funds. Talk about a nice infusion of funding for HHS. HHS does have a set of core areas of focus for the money (per an Allscripts presentation on HITECH). The area of focus that interests me most is the “Regional Health IT Resource Centers.” Seriously, what is a regional health IT resource center? Can any of you imagine a doctor visiting a health IT resource center? I don’t understand how this will work at all. I have a better idea. Why not take a cool million and give it to me? I’ll create a killer online platform for sharing of health care IT resources where people can share information nationally or within their region. Could be a killer applicat... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2200357 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:51:52 +0100 2200357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2144427&cid=t_109732_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclinicalit.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fclancy-likely-to-stay-at-ahrq.html I've just learned that staff at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is operating under the assumption that President Obama will choose to retain Dr. Carolyn Clancy as agency director. As a non-political federal employee, Clancy stayed on past Inauguration day, unlike the heads of many other HHS agencies. Although the new president has a right to bring in his own people, the word I'm hearing is that Obama will not change leadership at AHRQ.Clancy struck me as one of the first people within the federal government to understand the link between IT and quality, and I think it would be foolish to replace her now. Incidentally, AHRQ stands to be in line for a pretty big expansion. The entire agency's current budget estimate for fiscal year 2009 is $327.7 million, down from $334.6 mill... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2144427 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:50:00 +0100 2144427 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2086922&cid=t_109732_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F01%2F07%2Fmelatonin-as-a-greener-sleep-aid%2F Midweek Mental Greening Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been trying melatonin as a sleep aid – not every night, mind you, but here and there. You probably have a working knowledge of melatonin. It’s the hormone your brain’s pineal gland produces at night, when it’s dark and your body needs rest. Thus, melatonin helps your body know the difference between day and night and lends a hand with your circadian timing and sleep cycles. Though it may not be the most environmentally green sleep aid around (your body produces it naturally but, hey, if you’re taking it orally, that means someone else is manufacturing, bottling, and selling it and it’s no longer natural – it’s synthetic) melatonin definitely seems preferable to traditional prescription and other over-the-coun... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2086922 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:03:35 +0100 2086922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1834797&cid=t_109732_113_f&fid=35744&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fe-CareManagement%2F%7E3%2F403962167%2F This morning the Disease Management Care Blog brought an interesting toolkit to my attention. It was published by AHRQ in August 2008, so it’s very recent. This toolkit describes how to implement the Chronic Care Model (CCM) in your medical practice. The CCM is embedded in the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model and can be consider a foundational element of the PCMH. I would call this toolkit “The Medical Home for Dummies, Vol. I”, but then I’m sure the Dummies copyright police would knock on my front door, so I won’t. Here are a few more details: (more…) (Source: e-CareManagement) e-CareManagement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1834797 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:29:45 +0100 1834797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2580324&cid=t_109732_113_f&fid=35744&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fe-CareManagement%2F%7E3%2F0e1IflBRcEA%2F This morning the Disease Management Care Blog brought an interesting toolkit to my attention. It was published by AHRQ in August 2008, so it’s very recent. This toolkit describes how to implement the Chronic Care Model (CCM) in your medical practice. The CCM is embedded in the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model and can be consider a foundational element of the PCMH. I would call this toolkit “The Medical Home for Dummies, Vol. I”, but then I’m sure the Dummies copyright police would knock on my front door, so I won’t. Here are a few more details: (more…) (Source: e-CareManagement) e-CareManagement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2580324 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:48:24 +0100 2580324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2511440&cid=t_109732_113_f&fid=35744&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fe-CareManagement%2F%7E3%2F0e1IflBRcEA%2F This morning the Disease Management Care Blog brought an interesting toolkit to my attention. It was published by AHRQ in August 2008, so it’s very recent. This toolkit describes how to implement the Chronic Care Model (CCM) in your medical practice. The CCM is embedded in the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model and can be consider a foundational element of the PCMH. I would call this toolkit “The Medical Home for Dummies, Vol. I”, but then I’m sure the Dummies copyright police would knock on my front door, so I won’t. Here are a few more details: (more…) (Source: e-CareManagement) e-CareManagement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2511440 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:48:24 +0100 2511440 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1802720&cid=t_109732_113_f&fid=34933&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpalmdoc.net%2F%3Fp%3D1801 The AHRQ ePSS is an application designed to help primary care clinicians identify the screening, counseling, and preventive medication services that are appropriate for their patients. The ePSS is available both as a web application and a mobile application. Previously, this free application was available only for Palm and Windows mobile devices but Blackberry owners will be pleased to know that a version for the Blackberry is now available. For more free AHRQ PDA applications, click here from the Palmdoc Chronicles AHRQ ePSS - now for your Blackberry (Source: The Palmdoc Chronicles) The Palmdoc Chronicles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1802720 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1802720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1709802&cid=t_109732_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fzimney%2Fnew-checklists-for-staying-healthy-over-50%2F Two new checklists designed to help people over the age of 50 learn what they can do to stay healthy have been released by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the AARP. They provide all the information that women and men over 50 need to monitor and maintain their health. The two checklists are reprinted below, but originals can be obtained from the AHQR Web site, under the headings Tools and Resources, Health Care Consumers. Women: Stay Healthy at 50+ Checklists for Your Health Use the checklists in this flyer to help you stay healthy at 50+. The checklists help answer your questions about what daily steps you can take for good health, whether you need medicines to prevent disease, and which screening tests you need and when to get them.Select to downlo... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1709802 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:57:11 +0100 1709802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1671778&cid=t_109732_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F351607267%2F In an effort to dilute the impact of sales reps, several Senators and Congressmen today are introducing a bill that would create funding for a program to send trained pharmacists, nurses, and other health care professionals into a doctor’s office with independent data about benefits, risks, costs, and comparative effectiveness of prescription drugs, including generics. The Independent Drug Education and Outreach Act of 2008 would make it possible to fund grants or contracts through the HHS Agency for Health Care Research and Quality to develop educational materials and to send trained medical professionals to a doc’s office to discuss “unbiased information on appropriate prescribing,” according to a summary of the bill. (Here is the Senate version.) Applicants may n... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1671778 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:48:52 +0100 1671778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1652557&cid=t_109732_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F344662743%2F The increase amounted to roughly 10 percent, and that occurred in a year in which new and controversial Black Box warnings were added to the labeling on the medications. The data was just released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a unit of the US Health and Human Services Department. Those warnings sparked a debate over whether some doctors and patients were being scared away from useful drugs and, therefore, causing an increase in suicides. This contention then prompted an FDA official to say the warnings may have to be revisited if federal data yields such an increase, although the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has yet to issue more recent numbers. (Back story). The AHRQ found that, in 2002, there were 154.1 million antidepressant prescription purchases ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1652557 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:40:45 +0100 1652557 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1556179&cid=t_109732_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclinicalit.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fnew-really.html Friday's AHIP Solutions SmartBrief had this item:New AHRQ campaign focuses on patient empowermentThe U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is rolling out a new campaign called "Questions Are the Answer," designed to help patients be more involved in their care to avoid preventable harm. The program offers a Web site that includes video, checklists and advice for patients and providers on asking and answering questions. The Boston Globe (6/26) The Boston Globe story from Thursday didn't make mention of this being a new campaign; only the Spanish component is new. And that's accurate. Readers of this blog would know that "Questions Are the Answer" is not new. I wrote about it on April 23, 2007.On another subject, last week's Health Wonk Review was one of the best I've seen to date�... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1556179 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:07:00 +0100 1556179 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1478620&cid=t_109732_118_f&fid=36984&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthManagementRx%2F%7E3%2F300420106%2Fwalk-walk-ahrq-looking-for-preventative.html Medbloggers (particularly physicians and other clinicians), please do the country, and our healthcare system, a favor and consider applying to serve as a member of the US Preventative Services Task Force.Information from the AHRQ e-bulletin:"AHRQ invites nominations of individuals qualified for open positions to serve as members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Nominees are sought with expertise in prevention, research methodology, and experience in clinical primary care. Nomination of individuals with specific expertise in family medicine, behavioral medicine, and obstetrics/gynecology are encouraged. Nominations must be submitted by June 20."To view the Federal Register notice and for additional details on submitting nominations, go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-111... Health Management Rx blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1478620 Thu, 29 May 2008 08:35:00 +0100 1478620 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1379577&cid=t_109732_147_f&fid=35750&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthCareVox%2F%7E3%2F272219534%2Fnew_government_website_highlig.html Recently the federal government’s Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) launched a new Website, “Health Care Innovations Exchange” that features success stories on how health industry stakeholders are using a range of technologies to improve care.  What’s also interesting is that AHRQ is looking at what failed so that people can learn from others’ mistakes.  Currently the Website features 100 case studies and will be updated every two weeks.  I believe this site is critically important.  A common mantra of those working in the e-health field is “this sounds nice,” but did it work?  With AHRQ’s new Website we can now learn from what others have done so that we are not constantly reinventing the wheel or sim... HealthCareVox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1379577 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:39:32 +0100 1379577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=519730&cid=t_109732_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclinicalit.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fgoing-multimedia.html Watch the hit counter at the bottom of the right-hand column. Watch it carefully as it approaches and hopefully passes 20,000 since I began tracking traffic in September 2004. Thank you for your continued readership.And now for a reality check. The HIStalk blog had 186,445 hits in March alone. While I count visits more than hits (a.k.a. total page views) still I can only aspire to provide a fraction of the entertainment value as Mr. HIStalk—or for that matter, a fraction of the entertainment value of those fun-loving hipsters at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, who have gone all YouTube on us. Yes, AHRQ and the Ad Council have teamed up to produce the following public-service announcement aimed at encouraging patients to seek information from their healthcare providers as ... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=519730 Tue, 03 Apr 2007 21:54:00 +0100 519730