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 'ambulatory care'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:50:57 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174713&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fend-beginning-and-launch-i2o When Dr. Farzad Mostashari, the national coordinator for health information technology, addresses more than 4,700 healthcare professionals at the Allscripts Client Experience in Nashville on Monday morning, Aug. 29, he’s likely to discuss one of the most exciting developments in healthcare today – and perhaps surprisingly, it won’t be the meaningful use of electronic health records.  read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174713 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:48:46 +0100 5174713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096462&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fopen-letter-onc-certification-program One of the foundational elements of the CMS EHR Incentive Program is the use of certified EHR technology. On June 18, 2010 HHS issued a final rule to create a Temporary Certification Program “for purposes of testing and certifying health information technology.” This rule also outlined how organizations can apply, meet stringent requirements, and become ONC Authorized Testing and Certification Bodies. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096462 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:20:32 +0100 5096462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096467&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Funitedhealth-improving-rural-healthcare The UnitedHealth Center for Health Reform and Modernization released a white paper on Modernizing Rural Health Care. To quote from the UHG presser: read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096467 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:18:59 +0100 5096467 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028563&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fit-true-acos-arent-going-away If you aren’t in an accountable care organization or planning to join one, chances are you are just plain sick of hearing about them. Some people have called ACOs the HMOs of today, indicating they are likely to be just another newfangled idea for containing healthcare costs that will die along the wayside. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028563 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 04:19:50 +0100 5028563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008380&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fcoding-rest-us-why-everyone-your-practice-needs-basic-knowledge-coding There is no one, and I do mean no one, in your medical practice who does not need to know the basics of coding. Here is why: read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008380 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 13:15:51 +0100 5008380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008381&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Falaskan-healthcare-it-lessons-learned I'm back from Alaska and I'll post several blogs about my Healthcare IT and personal experiences in the 49th state. Alaska faces many healthcare challenges given its large area (663,268 sq mi) and population of 710,231 residents (as per the 2010 US Census), approximately half of which live in the Anchorage metropolitan area, making Alaska the least densely populated state. Roads are limited, making boat and small plane the only means of transportation to many locations, especially in the western portion of the state. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008381 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:13:46 +0100 5008381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008382&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2F4-factors-driving-hospital-satellite-emergency-department-development The satellite emergency department market is doing well, and from what I have seen, as attractive to patients as hospitals looking to implement them. Satellite emergency clinics are much what they sound like: a remote facility, often time located off campus from the hospital, which perform very similar types of services as a hospital emergency room. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008382 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:48:36 +0100 5008382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968645&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fdoctor-patient-relationships-age-it-social-media-thoughts An unsatisfactory relationship between the doctor and patient is one of the great impediments to a functioning U.S. healthcare system. Our social media followers say that relationship is hurt by three primary factors... can IT help? read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968645 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:02:33 +0100 4968645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968647&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fwhat%25E2%2580%2599s-driving-your-ehr-adoption The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced it has paid out more than $75 million for the meaningful use of electronic health records under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Is this really spurring adoption? read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968647 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:04:07 +0100 4968647 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4960179&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fwhat%25E2%2580%2599s-driving-your-ehr-adoption The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced it has paid out more than $75 million for the meaningful use of electronic health records under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Is this really spurring adoption? read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4960179 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:04:07 +0100 4960179 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4960180&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fwho-owns-patient-data If nature has made any one thing less susceptible than all others of exclusive property, it is the action of the thinking power called an idea, which an individual may exclusively possess as long as he keeps it to himself; but the moment it is divulged, it forces itself into the possession of every one, and the receiver cannot dispossess himself of it. Its peculiar character, too, is that no one possesses the less, because every other possesses the whole of it. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4960180 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:34:57 +0100 4960180 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953060&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fready-meaningful-use-attestation When the clock struck midnight on April 18, 2011, Jennifer Brull, MD, was ready. She had already registered for the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. She had her certified EHR system firmly in place, and working with the Kansas Foundation for Medical Care, the Regional Extension Center for Kansas, she had confirmation that her practice met meaningful use criteria. Dr. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953060 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:27:59 +0100 4953060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953062&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2F4-innovative-hospital-programs-driving-efficiency A new Health and Human Services (HHS) initiative, Partnership for Patients, is calling hospitals to focus on nine specific types of medical errors where the potential is great for increased care. The initiative has two over arching goals: keep hospitals patients’ symptoms from worsening, and facilitate patients’ treatment process from the hospital environment to other care settings. This ambitious project’s goal is to reduce readmissions by 20% by 2013. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953062 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:14:47 +0100 4953062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934456&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Faco-development-provider-driver The proposed CMS regulations on Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) took the first step in promoting discussions about lowering costs, but how to align these costs between each healthcare stakeholder is still an issue and obstacle, leaving most of us to wonder — how will this all actually work? read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934456 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:50:36 +0100 4934456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934457&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fcouch-potato-quantified-self-journey-must-be-defined-and-encouraged I’ve been interested in the growing population of folks who self-track objective data for health purposes.  The phenomenon is referred to either as personal informatics or the Quantified Self.  Both concepts have a following and both are intimately tied into the value of connected health.  Connected Health adds value in two fundamental ways:  self–care and just-in-time care.  In both cases, objective, quantified data is a criti read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934457 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:38:22 +0100 4934457 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934458&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ftransforming-healthcare-one-phone-time For those paying close attention to the world of mobile health last week, you may have noticed a number of tweets coming out of Cape Town, South Africa, and the Mobile Health Summit put on there by the GSMA, an organization that represents mobile operators worldwide, and the mHealth Alliance (@mHealthAlliance). read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934458 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:30:28 +0100 4934458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921569&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fremember-your-story I fell in love with healthcare while working as a radiology technician aide at a well-known imaging center in Dallas during college. I was working late one evening with one of our senior technicians, when I realized the profound opportunity a relationship between healthcare and technology could provide. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921569 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:45:59 +0100 4921569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911621&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fnew-apple-developments-will-likely-spur-mobile-health-innovation If you’re reading this blog, you most likely saw the pop-up/interstitial Intel ad that asks “Is Cloud Computing Right for You?” Steve Jobs apparently thinks so. The Apple impresario announced the company’s most talked-about offering, iCloud, at its Worldwide Developers Conference this week, among a number of other new developments that have stirred Apple fans to new heights of evangelism. Mashable.com staffers have been keeping up with conference developments and announcements pretty well. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911621 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:11:59 +0100 4911621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911622&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fconnected-health-technology-first-or-people For some reason of late, I’ve noticed the tagline of the automobile insurance company, Esurance. In case you haven’t seen it, it goes like this: “Technology when you want it, people when you don’t.” When I first heard this, I thought it would be a good tagline for connected health. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911622 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:12:24 +0100 4911622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902522&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmeaningful-delivery The objective of meaningful use is to improve patient outcomes, which requires much more than a certified IT system. To truly achieve meaningful use, operations need to be in place to deliver meaningful care. I would submit that workflow, dataflow, operations and processes need to come to the forefront during the preparation for meaningful use. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902522 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:14:58 +0100 4902522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902526&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhitech-revises-hipaa-regulations HIPAA regulations long on the books require that covered entities (i.e. health care providers, payors and clearinghouses) provide patients with accounting of disclosures of their protected health information (PHI) for any purpose other than treatment, payment or health care operations (TPO). The HITECH Act upped the ante, requiring accounting of disclosures of PHI for TPO as well. Regs implementing this requirement were to be keyed off of the meaningful use regs, and they have now arrived. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902526 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:39:45 +0100 4902526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902527&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhit-lessons-learned-scotland My trip to Scotland provided a remarkable opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences. Scotland has nearly 100% adoption of electronic health records among general practioners and is making good progress in hospitals with innovative built/bought inpatient systems. As in most countries, health information exchange is still evolving, but novel databases supporting disease management at the community level and an emergency care summary exchange are already live. Here's what I learned while in Scotland: No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902527 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:33:08 +0100 4902527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872211&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmeaningful-use-really-just-bunch-hoopla There seems to have been a wave recently of articles, blogs and general sentiment by providers that – surprise, surprise – jumping through the hoops of Meaningful Use may be more trouble than it’s worth. This sentiment is nothing new, of course. Meaningful Use has had its detractors from day one. But the healthcare IT evangelists and the government has always carried the larger voice, and spoken through a much larger PR machine. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872211 Fri, 27 May 2011 12:21:22 +0100 4872211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852987&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fsuperfreakonomics-healthcare-it I recently attended a conference at which Stephen Dubner, co-author of the best-selling books Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics, gave a keynote. Though he was speaking to a room full of email marketers, his story was peppered with anecdotes from the world of healthcare. He specifically, and quite humorously, told the story of Cedars-Sinai’s efforts to encourage doctors to wash their hands more often in an effort to reduce patients’ hospital-acquired infections. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852987 Mon, 23 May 2011 12:48:05 +0100 4852987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841670&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ffork-it No, I'm not swearing. At least not now. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841670 Wed, 18 May 2011 13:05:42 +0100 4841670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841671&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fcustomization-key-successful-pediatric-emr-systems As my interest in electronic medical records, especially in the pediatric realm, has grown alongside the weight and height of my young children, I did a little digging to see just how large the pediatric-specific EMR market has become. A simple Google search of “pediatrics, EMR” brought up, suffice it say, results too numerous to dive into (550,000, to be exact).   No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841671 Tue, 17 May 2011 13:38:09 +0100 4841671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4820959&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fnew-it-companies-bring-innovation-emergency-situations My recent blog on “Mobile Solutions Key to Evolving Emergency Care” prompted me to further ponder the current availability of mobile healthcare devices that enable a patient to initiate communication – even at a very basic, even non-verbal level - with caregivers before they arrive at the ER. Two companies – both relatively new to the industry it seems – caught my eye. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4820959 Fri, 13 May 2011 13:01:00 +0100 4820959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813416&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fcrossing-digital-divide-connected-health Often when I speak about connected health, I am asked ‘What are you doing to provide these services to communities with health disparities?’ For many years, connected health advocates took it on the chin when this important topic was brought up.  We relied heavily on home computers and home Internet access to achieve the power of our programs.  Yet, underserved populations had fewer home computers and less Internet access.  We were left to half-heartedly mention that access was improving and of course folks could always go to the library if needed. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813416 Wed, 11 May 2011 13:50:38 +0100 4813416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803282&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fpediatric-emrs-getting-their-fair-share-hit-spotlight I was pleasantly surprised a few weeks ago when I walked into the office of my daughter’s pediatrician and saw a computer monitor and keyboard ready to be unwrapped and plugged in – presumably to an electronic medical record. Perhaps by our next visit, the doctor would already be familiar with my daughter’s trip to the emergency room in another town, and the results of a visit to a specialist a few weeks later.   No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803282 Mon, 09 May 2011 12:23:30 +0100 4803282 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4794932&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fcloud-computing-or-data-center-how-hospitals-should-analyze-their-health-it-storage-needs No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4794932 Fri, 06 May 2011 17:28:19 +0100 4794932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775466&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmobile-solutions-key-evolving-emergency-care You never know when healthcare will hit – the need for it, the experience of it, and the costs related to it. Mother Nature’s havoc in recent weeks has emphasized the fact that no matter how healthy we are, no matter how accountable our care becomes, there will always be a need for emergency services. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775466 Mon, 02 May 2011 12:55:42 +0100 4775466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758820&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fno-app-just-wait-minute HIT advocates often lament what they perceive as the glacial pace of EHR adoption across the healthcare sector. While this perception may or may not be accurate, one HIT area that’s apparently going gangbusters is the market for mobile apps. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758820 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:20:30 +0100 4758820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734272&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fipads-ease-use-may-drive-ehr-adoption The iPad is a hit with consumers. It's also a hit with physicians, and that may prove to be a boon for the adoption of EHRs. An estimated 22 percent of U.S. physicians were using iPads by the end of 2010, according to Chilmark Research analysts. In a February 2011 survey by health marketing firm Aptilon, four out of five physicians said they plan to buy an iPad this year. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734272 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:06:58 +0100 4734272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734273&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmobile-applications-medical-education Every year in April, we survey the HMS medical students about their use of mobile devices. At HMS, we encourage students to buy the device of their choice - iPhone/iPod/iPad, Android, Blackberry, Kindle etc. We then support these devices with software licenses and controlled hosted applications.   No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734273 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:28:45 +0100 4734273 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4723995&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fattestation-experience This morning at 8am the CMS attestation website went live. At 8:30am, I completed the attestation for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Here's an overview of the experience. At the top of the Attestation page, you'll see the link "Click here to attest." No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4723995 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:11:54 +0100 4723995 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4719959&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmostasharis-onc-wont-be-easy-run-blumenthals Farzad Mostashari, the newly-appointed and fourth leader of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is going to face some stiff challenges his predescessor David Blumenthal did not have to face. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4719959 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:53:06 +0100 4719959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684489&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fusability-key-ehr-adoption If you build or create something, wouldn't you take into account ease of use? It is unfathomable then that most EHR vendors do not systematically conduct EHR usability testing, according to Jiajie Zhang, who is overseeing a federal research project on the science of EHR usability in the SHARP program. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684489 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:14:16 +0100 4684489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4658438&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Frx-md-emr-1-tab-qd Billions in stimulus dollars have many physicians now eyeing electronic medical record software for their practices. Hospitals are installing EMRs (for providers?) too. Unfortunately for many who practice care, EMRs are still a pretty bitter pill to swallow. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4658438 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:58:21 +0100 4658438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642739&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fonc-seeks-public-comment-federal-health-it-strategic-plan-2011-2015 Providing strategic leadership to public and private sector efforts to improve health and health care through the use of information and technology is a key responsibility of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642739 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:06:13 +0100 4642739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4615233&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmuch-ado-about-patient-portals From Chilmark Research’s perspective, patient portals are by and large much ado about nothing. Sure, plenty of healthcare organizations (HCO) talk about patient access, engagement, satisfaction and how they wish to empower their patients. They point to their glossy patient portal and say "look at this wonderful tool we are providing for our patients." But if one digs a little deeper one finds that most patient portals suffer from numerous ills including: read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4615233 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 13:52:08 +0100 4615233 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592500&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fneed-ehr-best-practices-lessons-learned-validated Health Affairs published results of an analysis of 154 recent studies on the implementation of health IT. The conclusion: 92 percent of the studies found health IT to be beneficial to patient care. Researchers at ONC, which conducted the peer review and included outgoing national coordinator David Blumenthal, MD, also found areas that need attention. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592500 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:09:14 +0100 4592500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560399&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmicrosoft-moving-towards-ehr-software-company-acquisition Last week Microsoft announced it is entering into a partnership with Athena to make their systems more compatible. According to a spokesperson from Athena, the partnership will “enable health systems to see inpatient and ambulatory information in a single view.” The move was predicated on two hospital clients building bridges between Amalga and AthenaClinicals to share patient information. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560399 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:16:14 +0100 4560399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4482759&cid=t_325042_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-cost-of-treating-kidney-disease%2F2011.02.15 Medical spending to treat kidney disease totaled on average $25.3 billion annually from 2003 to 2007 (in 2007 dollars). Almost half of the expenditures ($12.7 billion) were spent on ambulatory visits. On average, 3.7 million adults (1.7 percent of the population) annually reported getting treatment for kidney disease, reports a statistical brief from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. During 2003-2007, for those ages 18 to 64, more than half of the total kidney disease expenditures were from ambulatory visits (53.1 percent) compared with about one third (30.3 percent) from inpatient visits. Among those age 65 and older, ambulatory visits accounted for 46 percent of the total kidney disease expenditures and hospital stays were 43 percent. Similar amounts were spent on prescri... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4482759 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:00:00 +0100 4482759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4433160&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fpatient-centered-medical-home-requires-emr-system Patient-centered medical homes have become all the rage in the healthcare industry these days. The big push is coming from payers who want to cut costs and provider organizations who want primary care physicians to have a bigger say in the care of their patients. No matter who is driving the financial and clinical model, the train isn't leaving the station, so to speak, without health IT to power it. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4433160 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:34:06 +0100 4433160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4314090&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhealthcare-information-services-provider-business-model I've written previously about Healthcare Information Exchange Sustainability and the need for Healthcare Information Services Providers (HISPs) to serve as gateways connecting individual EHRs. How should HISPs be funded and how can we encourage HISP vendors to connect every little guy in the country? We've started to think about this in Massachusetts. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4314090 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:19:25 +0100 4314090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4245394&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhealthcare-it-implications-healthcare-reform I'm often asked how Healthcare Reform will impact IT planning and implementation over the next few years. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4245394 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:14:38 +0100 4245394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190276&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmhealth-enterprise-set-explode The rapid adoption of smartphones and now touch-screen tablets (e.g., iPad) by clinicians will trigger enormous growth in the use of mHealth Apps within healthcare enterprises, with the market for mHealth in the enterprise projected to reach $1.7B by end of year 2014. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190276 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:09:48 +0100 4190276 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168036&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fyou-cant-plan-enough-ehr-implementation Healthcare providers can never get enough advice about how to implement EHRs. Maine's regional extension center held a forum for healthcare providers last week and one physician, who has been practicing in a paperless environment for the last five years, gave excellent guidance. Take heed. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168036 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:13:30 +0100 4168036 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119200&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmeasuring-clinical-quality-cardiovascular-practices With cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in the United States, cardiovascular specialists have long used clinical quality guidelines to optimize care and enhance the quality of life for patients. Today, registry data is commonly used to help researchers evaluate the efficacy of standard care protocols across the country. Now, however, legislative incentives are lending additional impetus to these efforts.  As a solution, electronic health records (EHRs) become the logical answer to provide the foundation for measuring quality in a practice. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119200 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:59:46 +0100 4119200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098125&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fcool-technology-week-patienttouch Last week, I met with Patientsafe Solutions, a San Diego-based startup founded by serial entrepreneur James Sweeney. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098125 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:37:59 +0100 4098125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082175&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fplanning-tomorrows-ehr After reading an article on the five key features of tomorrow's EHR, I wondered how the current EHR products are going to transition to meet the demands of healthcare providers and patients. In another five years, as EHR adoption grows, we are likely to see consumers wanting their patient data and tests electronically delivered in real time, coordination among their providers, and the ability to conduct many healthcare-related transactions online. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082175 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:07:01 +0100 4082175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4065449&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmckessons-three-icd-10-myths McKesson presented three common ICD-10 misconceptions, and what the firm considers to be the truth opposing each. McKesson's myths, presented during a Webinar last week, overlap with ICD10Watch's own Top 5 ICD-10 myths debunked, quite naturally, though not entirely. So it's worth breaking them out for readers: (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4065449 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 19:23:45 +0100 4065449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082176&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fiom-blog Two landmark reports by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) changed Americans’ perception of their health care system and launched today’s drive to improve the quality and safety of medical care in America. The reports were To Err Is Human, published in 1999, and Crossing the Quality Chasm, released in 2001.  (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082176 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:15:35 +0100 4082176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036765&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fwhy-2011-year-build-hardware-your-icd-10-budget Allocating resources, financial and otherwise, for ICD-10 is certain to be a complex, multi-layered and ongoing achievement. The range of software applications and personnel has garnered much attention thus far, but hardware will cost healthcare organizations, too – and that's not just servers. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036765 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:30:55 +0100 4036765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031333&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fphysician-champions-deserve-our-attention October 4th was the first day of the National REC and HIE Summit West. I attended the preconference symposium on "Meaningful Use - What It Is and How To Qualify." What impressed me about this symposium was the sincerity and passion of the speakers, who are early adopters of EHRs and true physician champions. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031333 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:05:33 +0100 4031333 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013299&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmilestone-vocabulary-resources The Vocabulary Task Force of the HIT Standards Committee is hard at work specifying the vocabularies and codesets that should be publicly available to accelerate certification and meaningful use efforts. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013299 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:42:42 +0100 4013299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013300&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmobile-results-reporting-solutions-help-physicians-stay-connected As physicians seek more efficient ways of accessing and managing clinical information, they are relying more and more on mobile technologies to increase patient safety and improve productivity. According to Manhattan Research, the number of physicians who owned smartphones in 2009 was 64 percent, and that number is expected to reach 81 percent by 2012. And, of those physicians who own smartphones, a recent study by the Spyglass Consulting Group revealed that 94 percent are using the devices to communicate, manage personal and business workflows, and access medical information. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013300 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 20:52:57 +0100 4013300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4003321&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fklas-emr-report-highlights-interesting-market-dynamics KLAS' latest report revealed many interesting things about the EMR market, specifically in the area of acute-care EMRs for large hospitals with 200-plus beds. It's a snapshot of a market in transition, thanks to the ARRA funding. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4003321 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:16:15 +0100 4003321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3980829&cid=t_325042_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedical-errors-discuss-them-or-switch-doctors%2F2010.09.17 Patients won’t confront doctors if they think there’s been a mistake. They’ll just find a new doctor, even if there’d been no medical error. Researchers looked at adult visits to seven primary care practices in North Carolina during 2008. They asked patients about their perceptions of medical mistakes and how did it influence the choice to switch doctors. Of 1,697 patients, 265 (15.6 percent) reported a mistake had been made, 227 (13.4 percent) reported a wrong diagnosis, 212 (12.5 percent) reported a wrong treatment, and 239 (14.1 percent) reported changing doctors as a result. Results appeared in the Archives of Internal Medicine. But anecdotes cited by patients as mistakes were often normal diagnostic or therapeutic challenges. A typical scenario might be the pa... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3980829 Sat, 18 Sep 2010 04:32:24 +0100 3980829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933156&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fblumenthal-its-just-beginning-beginning I don't normally blog on Fridays, but after speaking with Dr. David Blumenthal, head of ONC, yesterday after the announcement of the final two Beacon communities, I didn't want to wait to post until Tuesday. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933156 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:32:04 +0100 3933156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3929309&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ficd-10-wrong-side-medical-loss-ratio-naics-draft-proposal ICD-10 looks a bit beleaguered this week. That's after state insurance commissioners issued a proposal under which health insurers would not be permitted to consider ICD-10 within their medical-loss ratio (MLR) – and physician and hospital organizations backed the idea. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3929309 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:17:30 +0100 3929309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907601&cid=t_325042_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoctors-and-their-smartphones%2F2010.08.26 An eye-popping statistic shows that 94 percent of doctors have adopted smartphones, in part to keep up with an information glut. A consulting group released results of 100 in-depth interviews with physicians working in acute and ambulatory care environments in numerous specialties nationwide. The physicians used the phones to communicate, manage personal/business workflows, and access information, including medical reference materials. (In case you’re curious about what your peers are using, 44 percent use an iPhone and 25 percent use a BlackBerry.) This growth in adoption — a 60 percent increase since 2006 — isn’t surprising, since the same survey reported that doctors’ biggest challenges are communicating with colleagues in a timely manner, the volume of... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907601 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3907601 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3885448&cid=t_325042_118_f&fid=34702&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fmspblog%2F%7E3%2F5JVBxHSSCfM%2F If you’re facing an upcoming accreditation survey, you’ll want to know what the Joint Commission is reporting as the most challenging standards so far this year. Here is what is giving Hospitals and Ambulatory Care organizations the most trouble in 2010: Hospital RC.01.01.01 The hospital maintains complete and accurate medical records for each patient.  (62%) LS.02.01.20 The hospital maintains the integrity of the means of egress.  (50%) LS.02.01.10 Building and fire protection features are designed and maintained to minimize the effects of fire, smoke, and heat.  (44%) EC.02.03.05 The hospital maintains fire safety equipment and fire safety building features.  (38%) LS.02.01.30 The hospital provides and maintains building features to protect individuals ... MSSPNexus Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3885448 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:59:39 +0100 3885448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3876761&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fshould-physicians-nearing-retirement-deploy-ehrs One of the lesser discussed factors determining whether to adopt EHRs or not is the number of years that a physician who owns his or her practice has left before retirement. This is a complicated issue, and the advice will vary from physician to physician, given his or her specific circumstances. There are, however, a few common facts that need to be taken into consideration. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3876761 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:09:51 +0100 3876761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3831431&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fthree-more-understated-aspects-icd-10-part-two ICD-10 is a multi-headed beast. As such, there are many faces to the new code sets; some are well known while others, often just as important, are not so understood. In our first installment, ICD10Watch reported the facets that readers likely do not, but really ought to, know more about. That triptych has since proven to be something of a beginning. And so the list of understated ICD-10 aspects continues: (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3831431 Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:54:35 +0100 3831431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3690933&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fthree-words-meaningful-use-perspective-patience-and-people Questions abound when it comes to meeting the meaningful use requirements, and the central questions often are 1.) How can our organization stay focused when putting IT systems into place; and 2.) How can we ensure our organization stays on track with meaningful use guidelines? At this stage of the game, there are three areas to take into consideration: (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3690933 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:08:00 +0100 3690933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3690934&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fare-you-ready-data-breach The handling of data breach incidents has become a way of life for healthcare providers and with other HIPAA covered entities. With the passage of the HITECH Act last year, there are now substantial penalties that can be levied, up to $1.5 million. This fact, combined with a requirement to notify the Department of Health and Human Services as well as the media for data breach incidents that affect over 500 individuals has, for the first time, resulted in public records being kept for such incidents. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3690934 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:49:33 +0100 3690934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3666057&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fadoption-health-it Introducing change in health care is never easy. Historically, adopting our most fundamental medical technologies, from the stethoscope to the x-ray, were met with significant doubt and opposition. So it comes as no surprise that in the face of change as transformational as the adoption of health IT – even though it carries the promise of vastly improving the nation’s health care – some hospitals and providers push back. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3666057 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:18:03 +0100 3666057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607627&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhealth-it-journey-stories-road Across the country, in practices large and small, urban and rural, general and specialized, health care providers are beginning their journey towards the meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs). Some practices are in the preliminary stages of learning about health IT, while others have already implemented systems and are using them to the benefit of patients. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607627 Fri, 28 May 2010 13:34:53 +0100 3607627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3592290&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fdespite-hit-progress-who%25E2%2580%2599s-still-left-out As new HIT makes ever greater inroads into the nation’s healthcare system, there is bound to be an expanding array of stories that highlight the advantages HIT brings to patients and doctors alike. But rather than taking too much comfort as favorable evidence piles up, policymakers should regularly wonder what percentage of the population is still not reaping the benefits. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3592290 Mon, 24 May 2010 12:31:40 +0100 3592290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3573794&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fpaper-kills BIDMC implemented Computerized Provider Order Entry in 2001. As we approach the ten year anniversary of our implementation, it's great to see the recent press on the Stanford study demonstrating a 20% decrease in mortality after implementing CPOE at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.   I've written about our experience and my top 10 approaches to make CPOE successful.   Our CEO has blogged about it.   Medscape has a great summary of the effort. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3573794 Tue, 18 May 2010 13:21:02 +0100 3573794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429265&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fbilling-companies-are-key-adopting-emrs With the advent of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)/HITECH Act and the promise of stimulus funds, physicians are mulling ways to add electronic medical records (EMRs) to their practices. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429265 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:33:03 +0100 3429265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3362456&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fphysician-practices-need-help-navigating-ehr-gold-rush The current quest of physician practices to purchase electronic health record solutions is reminiscent of the California gold rush of the 1850s. Practices are rushing to claim their share of the government stimulus funding, while more vendors than ever are in the market place offering EHR solutions. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3362456 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:06:53 +0100 3362456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3239674&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fupdates-meaningful-use-certified-ehr-technology-and-stimulus-bill On December 30, 2009, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released documents shedding light on what physicians and hospitals must do to qualify for electronic health records (EHR) incentive payments under the HITECH Act. To qualify for incentives, physicians and hospitals must be using “certified EHR technology” in a “meaningful manner.” (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3239674 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:25:21 +0100 3239674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3216688&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fnew-physician-adoption-statistics The CDC recently released its latest report on the adoption of electronic health records/electronic medical records (EHR/EMR) amongst office-based physicians from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. As a physician who trained and initially practiced in a time where nearly every order, record, and prescription was paper-based, the results are striking to me. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3216688 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:28:57 +0100 3216688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208493&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fbidmc-data-marts At BIDMC, our clinical systems are written in a hierarchical database called Cache - a very fast transactional system with great reliability and disaster recovery features. However, for population health, quality, and performance analysis, we export our clinical care data into over 80 data marts build with SQL Server 2008. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208493 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:30:52 +0100 3208493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3126688&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fextension-center-model-health-system-transformation A recent New Yorker article by Atul Gawande skillfully draws an analogy between today’s health care crisis and the food crisis our country faced a century ago. Whereas the heath care system currently consumes about 17% of the U.S. economy, Americans spent more than 40% of their income on food at the turn of the last century. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3126688 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:20:32 +0100 3126688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2899040&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fehrs-and-domestic-abuse In a recent survey, health care executives predicted that the secondary use of data which is captured during the care process will soon prove useful in improving the quality of care and public health, reducing costs, and getting drugs to market faster. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2899040 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:01:49 +0100 2899040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2899041&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Femergence-e-patients Fresh on the heels of the Health 2.0 conference in San Francisco, a renewed spotlight is shining on empowered “e-patients.” The convention was a showcase for a myriad of online and mobile tools which enable patients to engage in their health and their lives in ways not previously feasible. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2899041 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:56:48 +0100 2899041 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2719773&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Frethinking-clinical-transformation In healthcare IT, clinical transformation has been around for a while, traveled far, and, predictably, come to mean many different things. Is it a process one can follow? Is it an objective to shoot for? Yes and no. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2719773 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:34:30 +0100 2719773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691575&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fehr-without-appropriate-technical-infrastructure-patient-risk An often times overlooked aspect to implementing an electronic health record (EHR) is the need for a solid technical infrastructure. Unfortunately, most organizations in healthcare do not have a technical infrastructure that is fully prepared to handle the needs of an EHR safely. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691575 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:19:27 +0100 2691575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2621874&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ffive-ways-visual-communications-approach-can-help-medical-practices-get-more-their-emr-systems Although stimulus money incentives have been provided for hospitals and health systems to adopt electronic medical records, medical practices, for the most part, have had to make this significant investment on their own.   Buying the right EMR system remains a major monetary investment as well as a daunting task for overstretched medical practice staff and physicians.  These practices need to find the right technology to mesh with their processes in order to experience a strong return on their investment, which most understand to be time and money saved. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2621874 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:19:12 +0100 2621874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611014&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fstay-tuned-meaningful-use-part-deux-forthcoming Today, ONC’s HIT Policy Committee will reconvene to hear the latest iteration of draft recommendations on “meaningful use.” For those of you that are new to all of this, “meaningful use” is the legislative language used in ARRA, to insure that the ~$36 billion to be spent on clinician adoption of EHRs will result in EHRs being used in a meaningful fashion. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611014 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:16:07 +0100 2611014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576671&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Femr-failures-and-uninstalls Before I forget, I had the cover story in the May issue of MD Net Guide, on the subject of EMR failures and uninstalls in physician practices. In a similar vein, Healthcare IT News last week had a story about a high number of EMR uninstalls in the Phoenix area.   (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576671 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:05:03 +0100 2576671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2511369&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmeaningful-use-if-you-have-define-it-it I have a good friend at Duke University - Dr. Ed Hammond.  (Ed has been involved in advancing electronic health information for quite some time - probably longer than he'd like to remember.)  Ed once told me that to get a perspective on how long we - (our nation) has been assessing the potential of automating health information you'd have to go back to the introduction of Medicare in 1965 when President Johnson signed the legislation and officially enrolled Harry Truman as the first Medicare beneficiary. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2511369 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:29:09 +0100 2511369 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2511370&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fsecond-meeting-hit-standards-committee   Today, Jonathan Perlin and I ran the second meeting of the HIT Standards Committee. Here's a report on presentations and the work ahead. Jamie Ferguson presented the work of the Clinical Operations Working Group. There are three major threads of effort (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2511370 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:23:20 +0100 2511370 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405535&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fbuilding-financial-case-electronic-health-records A colleague of ours frequently comments how he once had a professor that instructed his class "never to do an information technology project with the primary goals of saving money, reducing headcount, or reducing paper."  Whereas each of these benefits may be desirable, we would agree that none are good reasons in and of themselves to implement an IT project and particularly something as complex as an electronic health record (EHR).  (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405535 Thu, 14 May 2009 13:50:22 +0100 2405535 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2218814&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Felephant-middle-room-need-national-patient-identifier The healthcare delivery system is complex in many ways that cannot be simplified.  Human beings present a limitless number of variations to busy clinicians who work under financial constraints to deliver high quality care with technologies and therapies that are constantly changing.  One aspect of healthcare delivery that can be simplified, however, is patient identification.  (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2218814 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:38:26 +0100 2218814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2161547&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fupdate-conficker   Last week, I wrote about the effort to proactively protect BIDMC and Harvard from the Conficker virus. Our efforts continue with the following: (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2161547 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:46:10 +0100 2161547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2153821&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ftransparent-health-record This blog originally appeared at The Health Care Blog -Ed. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2153821 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:49:30 +0100 2153821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2153823&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fblog-conficker-virus In recent weeks, a worm called Conficker has infected 9 million Microsoft Windows desktops and servers throughout the world via a Windows security flaw identified in October 2008. The BIDMC Security team has provided me with several briefings that I'd like to share with you. Day 1 (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2153823 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:17:51 +0100 2153823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2153832&cid=t_325042_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fauditing-medication-reconciliation BIDMC has a major focus on process improvement and lean approaches to workflow. When we declare a goal we develop metrics to track our processes and remeasure our performance to ensure our changes have a lasting effect. I was recently asked about our adherence to medication reconciliation, a Joint Commission requirement and a pay for performance goal for us. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2153832 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:48:29 +0100 2153832