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 'health information technology'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:08:18 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107559&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fnhs-scraps-plans-for-centralized.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107559 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:33:00 +0100 5107559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107560&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fare-electronic-medical-records-really.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107560 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:08:00 +0100 5107560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096268&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fdoes-clinical-decision-support-in.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096268 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:55:00 +0100 5096268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062240&cid=t_99823_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhich-generation-of-physicians-uses-the-most-mobile-technology%2F2011.07.25 Smartphones and tablets have reached 80% of physicians across all practice types, locations and years in practice, and 25% of users are “Super Mobile” physicians who use both types of mobile devices. This is far beyond the general population’s 50% adoption of smartphones and 5% adoption of tablets. QuantiaMd, a free, online learning collaborative, released survey results that showed 44% of physicians who do not yet have a mobile device intend to buy one this year. While younger physicians have higher adoption rates than older ones, current use of mobile devices by physicians longest in practice is above 60%, the survey showed. Among physicians with 30 years or more of practice, almost 20% already use a tablet device for work, and another 25% say they are extremely likely ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062240 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:00:00 +0100 5062240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934486&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthCareBlogLaw%2F%7E3%2F3lERUzK0Rz8%2Fjp-morgan-healthcare-conference-hit.html If you follow health information technology and are interested in the future of health care take time and listen to this panel discussion on Innovation Opportunities for the Health Information Technology Market with Eric Schmidt, Chairman of Google, Aneesh Chopra, Federal CTO for the United States, Todd Park, CTO of HHS, and moderated by John Doerr, venture capitalist at Kleiner Perkins.The panel discussion was part of the Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference held in January 2011.To start off moderator, John Doerr has the audience rattle off a bunch of great questions for the panel to address. Just listening to the questions will make you want to listen to the panel discussion.Thanks to Susannah Fox and Claudia Williams for tweeting the link. Thanks to Brian Ahier (@Ahier) for posting ... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934486 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 19:01:24 +0100 4934486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911482&cid=t_99823_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhy-dont-more-people-use-health-apps-for-iphones-and-droids%2F2011.06.08 I have been musing about why, despite our fascination with gadgets and timesaving devices, so few of us use the apps and tools that have been developed to help us take care of ourselves. The range of options is staggering – my iPhone coughed up 52 applications for medication reminders just now – but most of us don’t make use of the (often free) high-tech help available to us.  There are hundreds of websites and portals to help us monitor our diets, physical activity and blood sugar, talk to our doctors by e-mail and understand our test results.  Apps can help us watch for drug interactions, unravel our test results, adjust our hearing aids and track our symptoms.  Devices can monitor whether our mom is moving around her house this morning or continuously monitor our vital signs. I... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911482 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:00:13 +0100 4911482 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4794912&cid=t_99823_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F05%2Ftop-ten-things-you-need-to-know-about.html The Institute for Health Technology Transformation is a US based organisation that brings together private and public sector leaders to foster the effective use of technology across the healthcare industry.Their report, "Top Ten Things You Need To Know About Engaging Patients' is a compilation of what key health IT experts from across the U.S. think are the most important things to know about engaging patients in the digital age along with four key recommendations for practical action.Mostly common sense. Doctors just need to ask a simple question - How would you like your lawyer to communicate with you ? Use the same principles to open as many communication channels with your patients, so it's easy for them to connect with you ! (Source: The Patient's Doctor) The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4794912 Sat, 07 May 2011 05:25:00 +0100 4794912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4780329&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fimplementation-for-implementations-sake.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4780329 Tue, 03 May 2011 10:30:00 +0100 4780329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775417&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Ffda-report-on-hit-safety-problems.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775417 Mon, 02 May 2011 10:21:00 +0100 4775417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775418&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fcpoe-accounted-for-most-near-misses.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775418 Mon, 02 May 2011 10:05:00 +0100 4775418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4670106&cid=t_99823_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpatients-dont-want-to-communicate-with-their-doctors-on-facebook%2F2011.04.03 Patients may not want to discuss clinical matters via social media, but they’d gladly set pay their bills when reminded. Social media’s value in communicating with patients is limited to the administrative aspects of it. Americans still want traditional ways of communication when they need a clinical consult. A survey finds 84% would not use social media or instant messaging channels for medical communication if their doctors offered it, according to the communications firm Capstrat. Respondents were more favorable toward conferring with the doctor via e-mail (52%) than they were by Twitter and Facebook (11%), chat or instant messaging (20%) or a private online forum (31%). Even among those 18 to 29 years old, 21% said they would take advantage of an online forum if their docto... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670106 Sun, 03 Apr 2011 15:00:00 +0100 4670106 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642739&cid=t_99823_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=4696593&cid=t_99823_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fhow-academic-boneheads-kill-people.html I'm already receiving comments that, regarding Prof. Jon Patrick's detailed exposé of the dangers of ill-suited-for-purpose ED EHR's, Patrick's observations are:... not really valid because they're not peer reviewed; they're just anecdotal. Only an egghead could pen such words.I always get hives immediately after eating strawberries. But without a scientifically controlled experiment with all the right peer review, it's not reliable data. So I continue to eat strawberries every day, since I can't tell if they cause hives.I'd already written about anecdotalist refrains at my Mar. 7, 2011 post "Australian ED EHR Study: Putting the Lie to the Line "Your Evidence Is Anecdotal, Thus Worthless" Used by Eggheads, Fools and Gonifs." In that essay I cite Dr. Patrick himself on "anecdotal evidence"... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696593 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:05:00 +0100 4696593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560204&cid=t_99823_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fis-that-foul-odor-of-dity-socks-im.html We at Healthcare Renewal have had experience with the corporate sock puppets. They are shills, a person working on behalf of a company, attempting to use distraction, ad hominem, misdirection and other psyops tactics to attack points of view they don't like. They also plant memes their sponsor finds desirable.They are universally anonymous in their postings.One got careless and got nailed via IP forensics, as at my Jan. 2010 post "More on Perversity in the Healthcare IT World: Is Meditech Employing Sockpuppets?" and my semi-satirical followup post a few days later, "Socky the Meditech Sockpuppet on Vacation?" after he/she disappeared after exposure.A Healthcare Renewal reader with an MBA at that time non-anonymously related the following (emphases mine):In reading this thread of comments I... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560204 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 04:48:00 +0100 4560204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560309&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fmalpractice-risk-and-emr.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560309 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:58:00 +0100 4560309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560388&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNeilVerselsHealthcareItBlog%2F%7E3%2FYrKGAWy5afw%2F The policy journal Health Affairs has just put out a media advisory noting that the March issue, which comes out tomorrow, will have at least three articles devoted to health IT. From the advisory (verbatim): Studies on EHR: Neil Fleming and colleagues shed light on the financial and nonfinancial resources a small practice needs to implement an EHR system. Using data from  a physician network in north Texas, the authors estimate that the average cost to implement EHRs is $46,659 per physician. Use of EHRs will be accelerated because more than four in five office-based doctors are eligible for federal “meaningful use” incentives, says Brian Bruen of George Washington University and colleagues. Their analysis also highlights gaps in eligibility that must be addressed to further incre... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560388 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:49:09 +0100 4560388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4536026&cid=t_99823_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fcommittee-on-patient-safety-and-health.html In my Jan. 2011 post "Institute of Medicine Committee on Patient Safety and Health Information Technology, and Thoughts on Social Aspects of Health IT Evaluation" I wrote that:The U.S. National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences issued a report in early 2009 on the state of health IT. That study's report, led in part by pioneers in Medical Informatics G. Octo Barnett and William Stead, was entitled "Computational Technology for Effective Health Care: Immediate Steps and Strategic Directions" (pre-publication PDF available free at this link). The report was announced under the following header:CURRENT APPROACHES TO U.S. HEALTH CARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ARE INSUFFICIENT The insufficiencies were largely in the areas of difficulties with data sharing and integration, deploy... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4536026 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 02:40:00 +0100 4536026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4517191&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fwould-you-tolerate-those-occasional.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4517191 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:10:00 +0100 4517191 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4517193&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fdocs-attitudes-about-emrs.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4517193 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:12:00 +0100 4517193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4482802&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Femr-facilitates-higher-coding-what-does.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4482802 Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:03:00 +0100 4482802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4459953&cid=t_99823_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FR1hfmzvterw%2F By Jane Sarasohn-Kahn. In February 2011, 1 in 10 jobs in the U.S. is in health care employment; nearly 14 million people in the U.S. work in health care employment, with health care representing 10.7% of all jobs in America. The growth rate of health care jobs rose 1.2 percentage points since the recession kicked in late 2007. Since the start of the recession, health employment grew 6.3%; the number of non-health jobs fell by 6.8%. The chart starkly illustrates this story (click the chart to enlarge for easier reading). Altarum Institute has crunched the health job numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and published their analysis in Health Sector Economic Indicators, published February 9, 2011. Altarum’s top-line: health care employment has reached an “all-time high�... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4459953 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:54:40 +0100 4459953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4429036&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Felectronic-health-technologies-gap.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4429036 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 12:57:00 +0100 4429036 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424261&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fis-hitech-next-on-republican-chopping.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424261 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:33:00 +0100 4424261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424262&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fhuge-ambulatory-study-finds-no-impact.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424262 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:31:00 +0100 4424262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419165&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fis-emr-slowing-you-down-hire-scribe.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419165 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:14:00 +0100 4419165 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4382787&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Femr-dogma.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4382787 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:35:00 +0100 4382787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4372070&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fmedical-apps-for-smart-phones.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4372070 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:47:00 +0100 4372070 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4313969&cid=t_99823_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Finstitute-of-medicine-committee-on.html The U.S. National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences issued a report in early 2009 on the state of health IT.That study's report, led in part by pioneers in Medical Informatics G. Octo Barnett and William Stead, was entitled "Computational Technology for Effective Health Care: Immediate Steps and Strategic Directions" (pre-publication PDF available free at this link). The report was announced under the following header:CURRENT APPROACHES TO U.S. HEALTH CARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ARE INSUFFICIENT The insufficiencies were largely in the areas of difficulties with data sharing and integration, deployment of new IT capabilities, large-scale data management, and lack of cognitive support by health IT for busy clinicians.One might reasonably conclude such deficits could affect... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4313969 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:25:00 +0100 4313969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309644&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fusing-emr-to-reduce-ventilator.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309644 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:05:00 +0100 4309644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309612&cid=t_99823_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmaking-2011-meaningful%2F2011.01.03 Today, $27 billion in incentives begin for using electronic medical records, as office- and hospital-based providers begin to register for meaningful use criteria. Providers must use a certified system according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid meaningful-use guidelines for 90 consecutive days within the first year of the program to qualify. Eligible professionals can receive up to $44,000 over five years under the program. There’s an additional incentive for eligible professionals who provide services in a Health Professional Shortage Area. To get the most money, Medicare-eligible professionals must begin by 2012. By 2015, Medicare-eligible professionals and hospitals that do not demonstrate meaningful use get punished. (more…) *This blog post was originally publis... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309612 Mon, 03 Jan 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4309612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4285199&cid=t_99823_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceroll.files.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fhealthmash_iphone_app_screen_shot2.png HealthMash, WebLib’s next-generation semantic health search engine, will release an iPhone application in January. It utilizes proprietary natural language processing and semantic technology tools and resources in order to find highly relevant, reliable, and recent health information from the most trusted sources and facilitate user exploration and discovery. *This blog post was originally published at ScienceRoll* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4285199 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 20:00:26 +0100 4285199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225429&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wvhin.org%2FPrivacy_and_Security%2FDocuments%2FPrivacy%2520and%2520Security%2520Policies%2520for%2520Public%2520Comment%2FPatient%2520Consent%2520-%2520General.pdf The West Virginia Health Information Network (WVHIN), West Virginia's health information exchange, has issued proposed privacy and security policies and is seeking public comments on the proposed policies from December 3, 2010 through January 3, 2011. The WVHIN is a public/private partnership created in 2006 under W.Va. Code 16-29G-1 et seq. and is charged with building a secure electronic health information system for the exchange of patient data among physicians, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, other care providers, and other stakeholders.The proposed privacy and security policies that are available for review and comment are as follows:Patient Consent - GeneralPatient Consent - Permissible Purpose Patient Consent - Sensitive Health InformationUser AuthorizationUser AuthenticationPat... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225429 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:02:03 +0100 4225429 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4097933&cid=t_99823_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnew-survey-1-in-10-cell-phone-users-have-health-or-medical-apps%2F2010.10.24 A new survey from the Pew Internet & American Life Project shows how the proliferation of smart mobile devices is causing a shift in the way users are accessing data and information on health. Some of the most interesting findings are related to the substantial number of users who actually have applications that help them manage and track their health. Some key findings from the survey: *17 percent of cell owners have used their phone to look up health or medical information on the Internet; 29 percent of cell owners ages 18 to 29 have done such searches. *9 percent of cell phone owners have apps they use to help track and manage health. *The heaviest use of health or medical related apps was by young adults: About 15 percent of those ages 18 to 29 have such apps, compared to 8 percen... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4097933 Sun, 24 Oct 2010 13:00:07 +0100 4097933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4027186&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fdiagnosispro.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4027186 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:59:00 +0100 4027186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4018199&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fcpoe-patient-safety-dogma-is-gradually.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4018199 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:01:00 +0100 4018199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993960&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fcpoe-medical-ethics-patient-safety.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993960 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 10:43:00 +0100 3993960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3957932&cid=t_99823_105_f&fid=34896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorrw.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fwhats-wrong-with-way-we-use-emr.html (Source: Notes from Dr. RW) Notes from Dr. RW blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3957932 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:44:00 +0100 3957932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515492&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Frisks-and-flaws-nhin-development Everyone who cares about the privacy of their PHI should read Latanya Sweeney’s written testimony on the NHIN flaws (PDF).   Her criticisms of the proposed models National Health Information Network are sorely needed.   HHS has been charging ahead full steam without paying attention to the risks and flaws of the models they are funding.   (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515492 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:23:09 +0100 3515492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3290875&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhit-stocks-was-speed-bump Health information technology stocks were market darlings in 2009. They soared because analysts foresaw strong prospects for revenue growth in the sector once President Obama signed the stimulus bill into law (exactly one year ago, today). (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3290875 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:58:18 +0100 3290875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3271095&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthCareBlogLaw%2F%7E3%2FobK34RJ52Ss%2Fwv-hit-funding-under-hitech-wvhin-gets.html Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius and the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, David Blumenthal, announced the HITECH funding under the ARRA for State Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) and Regional Extension Center (RECs) across the country.The White House Press Release provides a detailed list of HIEs and RECs receiving grants. Inormation is also available via the HHS News Release, Sebelius, Solis Announce Nearly $1 Billion Recovery Act Investments in Advancing Use of Health IT, Training Works for Health Jobs of the Future.West Virginia will receive the following funding:West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources in conjunction with the West Virginia Health Information Network HIE Award: $7,819,000West Virginia Health Improvement Institute, Inc.... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3271095 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:39:23 +0100 3271095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171856&cid=t_99823_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Foffice-of-national-coordinator-one-man.html Generally, transparency in government means that the public it serves knows who that government is.Yet the "Office of the National Coordinator: Key Personnel" page at HHS shows only this, the name of the Coordinator himself, Dr. David Blumenthal:Only one person works at ONC? click to enlargeWhat about the others as per the Org Chart?ONC Org Chart (click to enlarge)In the case of the Office of the National Coordinator for Healthcare IT, there are a number of possibilities for this apparent informational lapse:There is only one person working in this office;Only one person is considered "Key Personnel";This office, responsible for the national program for health IT and Electronic Medical Records in the U.S. that will "revolutionize" healthcare through better record keeping, has been careless... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171856 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:07:00 +0100 3171856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3135586&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.federalregister.gov%2FOFRUpload%2FOFRData%2F2009-31216_PI.pdf Yesterday the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) issued two regulations laying the foundation for improving quality, efficiency and safety through meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology.The two regulations are part of the implementation of the EHR incentive programs for physicians and hospitals enacted under the HITECH provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). CMS issued a proposed rule outlining the proposed provisions governing the EHR incentive programs, including defining the central concept of “meaningful use” of EHR technology. ONC issued an interim final regulation setting forth the initial standards, implementation spec... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3135586 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:36:25 +0100 3135586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111503&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthCareBlogLaw%2F%7E3%2F9oN4zepO-cw%2Florman-medical-records-law-seminar.html Discussion — Robert L. Coffield, Esq., Michael T. Harmon, MPA, CIPP/G, Sallie H. Milam, J.D., CIPP/G and James W. Thomas, Esq. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111503 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:03:13 +0100 3111503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3075623&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wvahc.org%2Fdownloads%2FDaveBondFinalReport.pdf iHealthBeat reports on the release of a new report prepared by CCRC Actuaries for the West Virginia Health Care Authority.The full report is available via the West Virginians for Affordable Health Care website and is titled, Health Care Financing in the State of West Virginia: An analysis and Projection of the Current System and Potential Transformations, August 2009. According to the articles, the report indicates that the adoption of health information technology (HIT) and implementation of centralized medical care through medical home concepts could save West Virginia's health care system more than $1.1B in 2014. The estimates in the report used insurance claims data from more that 800,000 West Virginia residents, including data from Medicaid and Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield.Mo... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3075623 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:39:29 +0100 3075623 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056743&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fopen-letter-david-blumenthal-are-you-going-fast-enough Dear Dr. Blumenthal: In the 8 months since you became National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, you have achieved a great deal. • Your HIT Policy Committee has drafted criteria describing the Meaningful Use of electronic health records (EHRs). • Your HIT Standards Committee has begun to articulate an interoperability framework that should support EHR cross-talk and data exchange which will unlock the potential of EHRs as envisioned in the ARRA legislation. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056743 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:22:01 +0100 3056743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3023246&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wvhin.org%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_docman%26amp%3Btask%3Ddoc_download%26amp%3Bgid%3D151%26amp%3BItemid%3D Today the West Virginia Health Information Network released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a statewide Health Information Exchange. More information, including the deadlines, bidder worksheets and a full copy of the RFP are available on the WVHIN website.Following are sections from the RFP that provide a general overview of the proposed West Virginia Health Information Exchange and a general scope of the RFP:The West Virginia Health Information Network (WVHIN) is soliciting proposals to provide a statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE) infrastructure platform for physicians, hospitals, other health care organizations, and consumers. The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to obtain vendor services and expertise in support of the WVHIN. Details on the scope of work, requirem... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023246 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:19:04 +0100 3023246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2981178&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FL5UhCmQtGOc%2F I just read one of the best blog posts I’d read in a long time. So much so that I just had to post part of it a link to it on my site. The post is called “Far From Shovel-Ready” by Anthony Guerra. I think you all should go and read the entire post. It’s well thought out and well written. I don’t know Anthony Guerra personally, but our paths have regularly crossed on the internet. I hope one day to have the pleasure of meeting him (maybe at HIMSS?). His blog post starts out with this statement, “Legislation that took weeks to write will wreak havoc for years.” I’m not quite as certain as Anthony that it WILL wreak havoc. However, I’ve been warning of the possibilities of problems for a while now. He describes the main points of his post ... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2981178 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:58:27 +0100 2981178 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2901709&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2009%2F10%2F14%2Ftimeframes-to-implement-an-emr-and-the-emr-regional-extension-centers%2F I quoted this CIO in my previous post about EMR Motivations, but I also thought that Neal Ganguly provided some interesting analysis of the time frames involved with selecting, implementing and using an EMR. Plus, he takes it one step further and adds in the time frames to get the EMR regional extension centers in place as well. Check out the EMR timelines: Hospitals / Physicians: It can take 3-6 months to evaluate and select a system and then it takes 18-24 months to install a hospital clinical system. It takes 2-5 months to properly install a physician EMR. It can take 6-12 months or more to work out the kinks and become productive on such systems. The talent pool to accomplish this work is spread thin. Hence the extension center concept. However, it can take 3-6 months to establish cent... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2901709 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:12:38 +0100 2901709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782133&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wvhealthimprovement.org%2Fwvhii%2FAttachment443.aspx Over the past several months I have been involved with a group in developing West Virginia's statewide strategic plan for health information technology.The final draft of the West Virginia Health Information Technology Statewide Strategic Plan, September 2009 is now available for review and comment. Additional comments and feedback on the strategic plan are welcome.The strategic plan is a part of West Virginia's efforts to position itself as a national leader in implementing and adopting health information technology to improve our health care system. The strategic plan will be a part of the the state's efforts to submit applications to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) for funding under the State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreemen... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782133 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:44:27 +0100 2782133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2757885&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fquality-meaningful-use-and-interoperability A reporter recently asked me to describe the quality measures and standards that are part of meaningful use. Floyd Eisenberg, Senior Vice President, Health Information Technology at the National Quality Forum, summarized the work nicely: (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2757885 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:04:43 +0100 2757885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2741498&cid=t_99823_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fadministrator%2Fdentists-should-know-about-new-hipaa-rules%2F In February, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) was passed as under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The purpose of the act was to create a nationwide information technology infrastructure that would allow controlled electronic dissemination of health information (EMR). HITECH rules, which are currently being promulgated by HHS, will place more responsibilities on covered business entities and their business associates. On August 18, a new regulation will go into effect which requires covered entities and their business associates to provide notice of breaches or unauthorized disclosures of protected health information (PHI) within 60 days. Covered entities would be required to provide notification to the breached indiv... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2741498 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:54:49 +0100 2741498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737836&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2F1lwbOB24wjg%2F David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, has been putting out some letters about HIT and EHR in particular. In his latest letter he talks about the recent announcement of the HIT Regional Extension Centers designed to assist and help with the implementation, selection and use of EHR software. Here’s a portion of his letter: Key to the successful adoption and meaningful use of EHRs is the assurance that providers have the help and guidance they need to select, implement and maintain a certified EHR system. In addition, we need the various and often disparate local, statewide and regional systems to work together, regardless of location and differing state and federal standards or policies, to enhance patient care. Toward that end, the first grant progr... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737836 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:00:35 +0100 2737836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691574&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fgoogle-ceo-eyes-national-ehr-database Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, warned members at a Thursday meeting of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology that the Obama administration's health IT plan relies too heavily on outdated database technology. The current plan stifles innovation and encourages the use of proprietary, copyrighted databases that cannot easily duplicate or share information, according to Schmidt. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691574 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:24:43 +0100 2691574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2670905&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ffinally-reasonable-plan-certification-ehr-technologies  A caution to readers: This post is about methods for certifying Electronic Health Record (EHR) technologies used by physicians, medical practices, and hospitals who hope to qualify for federal incentive payments under the so-called HITECH portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2670905 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:20:47 +0100 2670905 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2641366&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthCareBlogLaw%2F%7E3%2FcpPTwO_Cgv0%2Ftechnology-then-and-now.html The discussion about health care reform has been front and center lately. Along with the debate comes the discussion and questions about the role technology will (should) play in the reform efforts. I was reminded of a photo I found a few months ago while I was home visiting my dad and looking through some old photo albums with him.  Although the technology may have changed some from 1978 to 2008 - human nature hasn't really changed that much. Reforming the health care system involves more than implementing technology. Health information technology will not save the system, make health care cheaper or better without changes to the underlying structure of the system of health that we have built. If we continue our health care system with the fundamental flaws that exist without chang... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2641366 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 03:33:19 +0100 2641366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2398872&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhealth-it-stimulus-and-fqhcs-dont-forget-about-us There is a critical element in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that targets funds for Federally-Qualified Community Health Centers (FQHCs).  (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2398872 Fri, 08 May 2009 15:48:31 +0100 2398872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2382593&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FX2ItRyp8LkA%2F Marc Probst, CIO at Intermountain Healthcare and member of the new Health Information Technology Policy Committee, gave a really interesting interview to Healthcare Informatics. I really don’t know Marc Probst other than what I read in this interview, but I do know something about Intermountain Healthcare (or IHC as it’s known in Utah). When I was in high school I actually worked for IHC spending one hour a day cleaning a local doctors office. I’m glad those days are over and I don’t think I did a very good job at it either. However, from that experience and also my high school friend’s dad being the CEO of IHC I got to know the company pretty well. I was really impressed with how the company was run. From the above interview I think that Marc Probst probably ... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2382593 Sat, 02 May 2009 23:11:05 +0100 2382593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376318&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2F4nUXUUVgnGA%2F Today I came across what someone called a new Health and Human Services (HHS) health information technology (HIT) website. Unfortunately, they didn’t get the same graphic designer and web developer that have been doing such a fine job with the various websites that Obama has been putting up. I find the first page interesting since it has HHS asserting the following: Health information technology (Health IT) allows comprehensive management of medical information and its secure exchange between health care consumers and providers. Broad use of health IT will: Improve health care quality Prevent medical errors Reduce health care costs Increase administrative efficiencies Decrease paperwork Expand access to affordable care Interoperable health IT will improve individual patient ca... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376318 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:50:39 +0100 2376318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376392&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedocket.access.gpo.gov%2F2009%2Fpdf%2FE9-9512.pdf On April 17, 2009, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued guidance on the technology requirements to render protected health information (PHI) "unusable, unreadable or indecipherable to unauthorized individuals, as required by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) which is a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The April 27, 2009 Federal Register (74 FR 19006), v\:* { BEHAVIOR: url(#default#VML) } o\:* { BEHAVIOR: url(#default#VML) } w\:* { BEHAVIOR: url(#default#VML) } .shape { BEHAVIOR: url(#default#VML) } st1\:* { BEHAVIOR: url(#default#ieooui) } @font-face { font-family: Tahoma; } @font-face { font-family: Arial Narrow; } @page Section1 {size: 8.5in 11.0in; margin: 1.0in 1.0in 1.... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376392 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:48:47 +0100 2376392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348921&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ftc.gov%2Fos%2F2009%2F04%2FR911002healthbreach.pdf This study and report must be completed by February 2010. In the interim, the Act requires the Commission to issue a temporary rule requiring these entities to notify consumers if the security of their health information is breached. The proposed rule the Commission is announcing today is the first step in implementing this requirement.In keeping with the Recovery Act, the proposed rule requires vendors of personal health records and related entities to provide notice to consumers following a breach. The proposed rule also stipulates that if a service provider to one of these entities experiences a breach, it must notify the entity, which in turn must notify consumers of the breach. The proposed rule contains additional requirements governing the standard for what triggers the notice, as w... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348921 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:01:10 +0100 2348921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2314671&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FPZgGIfDuOyc%2F One of my loyal readers and colleagues in the EHR field recently sent me a link (pdf) to the list of members that were announced on the Health Information Technology (HIT) Committee. Take a look at the list of members on the HIT Policy Committee: Christine Bechtel, vice president, National Partnership for Woman and Families Arthur Davidson, director, Public Health Informatics, Denver Public Health Department; director, Denver Center for Public Health Preparedness; medical epidemiologist; director, HIV/AIDS Surveillance, City and County of Denver Adam Clark, research and policy director, Lance Armstrong Foundation Marc Probst, chief information officer, Intermountain Healthcare Paul Tang, vice president and chief medical information officer, Palo Alto Medical Foundation Scott White, assist... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2314671 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 07:30:55 +0100 2314671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2267129&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthCareBlogLaw%2F%7E3%2Fk6o76_hK4u0%2Fevrichart-west-virginia-based-health.html Today's Charleston Gazette features an article by Eric Eyre on a health information technology company located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. EvriChart relocated to West Virginia four years ago and focuses its business on managing health information for hospitals, physicians and other health care providers. John King, COO of the company is a native West Virginia who grew up in Greenbrier County. As a health lawyers who focuses on issues around health information technology I was surprised to read the article and learn about this West Virginia based company. I had not heard of them before. I plan to reach out to them and see how we might get them involved in the West Virginia Health Information Network and other West Virginia based health technology efforts.  This company ... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2267129 Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:13:59 +0100 2267129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2222368&cid=t_99823_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FHVPCU3uL11Y%2F I was browsing through a document on the House Ways and Means website and I was really interested in what I found listed for what I believe is the basic assumptions and plans Congress and the House used to pass the HITECH act through congress. Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act or HITECH Act Health information technology helps save lives and lower costs. This bill accomplishes four major goals that advance the use of health information technology (Health IT), such as electronic health records by: Requiring the government to take a leadership role to develop standards by 2010 that allow for the nationwide electronic exchange and use of health information to improve quality and coordination of care. Investing $20 billion in health information technology inf... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2222368 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:09:05 +0100 2222368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2200414&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthCareBlogLaw%2F%7E3%2F542704222%2Fwest-virginias-health-information.html Yesterday the Charleston Gazette ran an op-ed piece, West Virginia A Leader In Health Information, written by Kenneth Kizer and Peter Groen.The article provides an overview of the various efforts in West Virginia to become a national leader in health information technology. The op-ed piece states: As Congress deliberates the economic stimulus package aimed at, among other things, accelerating use and adoption of health information technology, leaders would be well served to look to West Virginia's example as a guide for how to accomplish this objective in a cost-effective fashion.West Virginia has quietly become a national leader in the use of health information technology, particularly in the area of "open-source" electronic health record solutions that are used by the U.S. Department of ... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2200414 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:04:02 +0100 2200414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2107661&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthCareBlogLaw%2F%7E3%2F512990037%2Famerican-well-hawaiin-doctor-e-house.html Today Hawaii Medical Service Association along with American Well roll out American Well's technology that redesigns the house call -- call it "e-House Call." More about the joint effort and how to log in can be found at HMSA's Online Care For Consumers. American Well's technology allows live, face-to-face consultations between physicians and patients. The technology matches up the patient with the physician. Hawaii hope that the project will provide convenient, affordable and better access to health care in a state (not unlike West Virginia) that has remote areas/islands. I plan to invite American Well to West Virginia to see whether we might roll out a similar effort in conjunction with the West Virginia Health Information Network or as a part of the innovation community under the Medi... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2107661 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:39:47 +0100 2107661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2039869&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hhs.gov%2Fhealthit%2Fdocuments%2FNationwidePS_Framework.pdf Today the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) issued The Nationwide Privacy and Security Framework for Electronic Exchange of Individually Identifiable Health Information. The summary states that the framework creates a set of consistent principles to:". . .address the privacy and security challenges related to electronic health information exchange through a network for all persons, regardless of the legal framework that may apply to a particular organization. The goal of this effort is to establish a policy framework for electronic health information exchange that can help guide the Nation's adoption of health information technologies and help improve the availability of health information and health care quality. The principles have been designe... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2039869 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:26:13 +0100 2039869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033029&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsbwv.com%2Fpdf%2FThe_Rise_of_the_PHR_AHLA.pdf Conclusion PHRs bring a new dimension to the debate over how to create an interoperable health information network. The shift of power into the hands of patients could bring about a sustainable model. Before proceeding with the expansion of PHRs, the legal implications that go along with such an adoption should be addressed. Bob Coffield is a member of Flaherty, Sensabaugh & Bonasso, PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia. Bob is also a Co-Chair of the Privacy and Security Compliance and Enforcement Affinity Group, a part of AHLA’s Health Information and Technology Practice Group. Jud DeLoss is a principal with the law firm of Gray Plant Mooty in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jud is also a Vice Chair of the AHLA’s Health Information and Technology Practice Group. [1] Mr. DeLoss thanks Brya... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033029 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:42:12 +0100 2033029 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1887035&cid=t_99823_134_f&fid=36985&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fsugarstats%2F%7E3%2F423716652%2F We continue with Part 2 of our interview with Jennifer McCabe Gorman. You can find Part 1 here: http://www.sugarstats.com/2008/10/11/interview-with-jennifer-mccabe-gorman-pt-1-of-3-background-on-health-20/ Nedrra Lanakila (N): So how does HIT (Health Information Technology) help improve patient care and reduce costs, from what you’ve seen over the last 18 months? Jennifer McCabe Gorman (JMG): Aha – truly excellent question re: HIT [...] (Source: SugarStats.com - Simple, Online Blood Sugar Tracking for Diabetes Management) SugarStats.com - Simple, Online Blood Sugar Tracking for Diabetes Management blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1887035 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:23:26 +0100 1887035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1888079&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Frise-of-personal-health-record.html ConclusionPHRs bring a new dimension to the debate over how to create an interoperable health information network. The shift of power into the hands of patients could bring about a sustainable model. Before proceeding with the expansion of PHRs, the legal implications that go along with such an adoption should be addressed.Bob Coffield is a member of Flaherty, Sensabaugh & Bonasso, PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia. Bob is also a Co-Chair of the Privacy and Security Compliance and Enforcement Affinity Group, a part of AHLA’s Health Information and Technology Practice Group.Jud DeLoss is a principal with the law firm of Gray Plant Mooty in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jud is also a Vice Chair of the AHLA’s Health Information and Technology Practice Group.[1] Mr. DeLoss thanks Bryan M. Se... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1888079 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:40:00 +0100 1888079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1870566&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fhealth-20-stay-focused-on-goals.html Ben Heywood, co-founder of PatientsLikeMe, outlines simple (but difficult) goals that those in the health 2.0 space must accomplish. Based on his post I take it that he highlighted these during his keynote address at the second Health 2.0 Northeast conference.His simple but eloquent message to the health 2.0 community:I believe we, as the eHealth community, need to focus on two major goals: 1) solve patients’ problems, and 2) create business models that allow us to do #1. Successful companies must show real and tangible benefits directly to the patient consumer. As one who regularly participates in the health information discussion and debate as West Virginia moves forward with its health information network infrastructure -- I often try to step back and ask, like Mr. Heywood, the simple... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1870566 Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:09:00 +0100 1870566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1862674&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fhr-6898-health-e-information-technoloyg.html Jen McCabe Gorman at Health Management RX brought attention to a new House of Representative Bill (HR 6898) focused on electronic health information introduced in the 110th Congress by Congressman Pete Stark. The bill was introduced on September 15, 2008, and is currently referred out to committee.Jen provides some great analysis and brainstorming on the impact of the draft bill in her post, "Breaking News: Congress Wants to Create National eHealthNetwork, Legislate Who Owns Health Data." Well worth a read for anyone interested in health information technology, electronic health information, personal health records, health 2.0 or the future of our health care system.Jen highlights those sections dealing with who owns the electronic health information. Should it be the government? the provi... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1862674 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:58:00 +0100 1862674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840910&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fphr-certification-criteria-public.html Josh Seidman, president of Center for Information Therapy, of provides an update of the status of Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology's (CCHIT) process for certification of personal health records (PHRs) over at The Health Care Blog.CCHIT has published the first draft of the 2009 certification criteria for Personal Health Records (PHR) 09 Introduction and Personal Health Record (PHR) 09 Criteria (Draft 01).CCHIT is currently taking public comments on the drafts through October 28, 2008. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840910 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:56:00 +0100 1840910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1729335&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fehealthwv-west-virginia-ehr-public.html As a part of West Virginia's participation in the Health Information Security and Privacy Collaborative (HISPC), West Virginia Medical Institute and its partners launch the eHealthWV website focused on educating consumers about electronic health records and health information exchange.West Virginia was one of a number of states awarded a grant by RTI International to participate in the HISPC, a national collaborative effort to study health information security and privacy. To learn more about EHRs and HIEs check out the website. They also have a toolkit of brochures for physician practices to use.Project Director, Patty Ruddick, notified me last week that they had filmed a new EHR/HIT public service announcement that will start airing across West Virginia over the next few months. I though... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1729335 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:21:00 +0100 1729335 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1671453&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fwest-virginia-health-improvement.html The West Virginia Health Improvement Institute has launched its website that provides an overview of the efforts to improve the health care system in West Virginia.The mission of the Institute is to assist with the execution of the strategies outlined in the Transformation Grants awarded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. One main focus is on migrating primary care in West Virginia to the medical home model. The "About WVHII" has more about the Institute - what it is? why it's needed? its structure? etc.As a part of the project I am chairing one of the four workgroups, the work group on the Adoption of Health Information Technology. The other work groups are:Measurement/Reporting/ReimbursementProvider Outreach and EducationSelf ManagementThe Adoption of Health Information Technology... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1671453 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:05:00 +0100 1671453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1556231&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fconnecting-for-health-news-press.html The recent announcement of the Common Framework for Networked Personal Health Information by the Connecting for Health collaboration lead by the Markle Foundation is just the next wave in what may be a tidal shift. The tidal shift is one centered on the input, control, ownership, and administration of health information that results from the active and real use of PHRs by consumers.Those participating in and endorsing the Connecting for Health initiative are a diverse group of health care and technology companies, including Google, Microsoft, Intuit, WebMD, Dossia, BlueCross BlueShield, AARP, AAFP, SureScripts and others.Whether or not the wave is large enough or just one of many more to come is yet to be determined. The ocean of health information and health information exchange is so flu... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1556231 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:09:00 +0100 1556231 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1531115&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fdoes-your-doctor-use-ehr.html The latest statistics are out regarding the adoption and use of electronic health records (EHRs). The New England Journal of Medicine published the government sponsored survey report. Check out the article in the NY Times, "Most Doctors Aren't Using Electronic Health Records." (full report - Electronic Health Records in Ambulatory Care -- A National Survey of Physicians).The article indicates that only 9% of medical practices with less than 3 physicians have adopted an EHR -- while the percentage increases to 50% for those practices with 50 or more physicians. The comments in the article by one physician seem to confirm a recent conversation with Jack Shaffer, health IT specialist, that EHRs don't necessarily improve physician efficiency.West Virginia native, Dr. Brailer, is quoted in the ... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1531115 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:14:00 +0100 1531115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1491986&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fonc-coordinated-federal-health-it.html Today the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) released "The ONC-Coordinated Federal Health Information Technology Strategic Plan: 2008-2012". Find more information here, including a synopsis of the full report.The plan is meant to serve as a guide to coordinate the federal government's health IT efforts to achieve a nationwide implementation of an interoperable health information infrastructure.Robert Kolondner, MD, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology states in the synopsis summary:Looking toward the future, we can envision a health care system that is centered on each and every individual patient. Clinicians will have at their fingertips all of the information needed to provide the best care; individuals will have access to this an... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1491986 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:23:00 +0100 1491986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1460893&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fhational-alliance-for-health.html On April 28, 2008, the National Alliance for Health Information Technology released its Report, "Defining Key Health Information Technology Terms," to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.The report is an effort to get everyone working in health information technology to have a common understanding of and differences between EMRs, EHRs, PHRs, HIEs, HIOs and RHIOs. If you don't know what each of these are or are interested in better understanding these key health tech terms check out the report.An article by Health Data Management indicates that the Report will be "presented on June 3 to the American Health Information Community, a Department of Health and Human Services advisory body, for final approval." (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1460893 Wed, 21 May 2008 18:20:00 +0100 1460893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1261587&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fdcard-health-20-group-releases-standard.html My health colleagues over at change:health (Christopher and Robert) and Organized Wisdom (Steve and Unity) along with Within3, the founding members, have worked together to release a new open standard dCard (doctor card) to establish basic e-standards for the collecting, storing and sharing of physician information. The dCard is also designed as a central location for the physician to maintain their core data and information.The dCard concept is being initially supported by a group of nine health care technology companies. As the change:health press release indicates, joining them are eight other companies working together to develop the dCard:Within3 (Online professional network for health science professionals and organizations)OrganizedWisdom Health (First human-powered, physician-revie... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1261587 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:53:00 +0100 1261587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1258088&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fblogger-eye-view-of-himss-orlando.html Jay Parkinson and Scott Shreeve give those of us not attending a glimpse into the happenings at HIMSS Orlando. I particularly enjoyed Dr. Parkinson's round soap theory of health care IT.For another viewpoint check out HIStalk. Learn more about what really goes on here. for what really goes on check out HIStalk's summary last year. s what is really going on here.As I travel I aways wonder what happens to all the "once used" soaps. Do they just re-wrap them? (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1258088 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:28:00 +0100 1258088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1091298&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Flights-camera-action-health-20.html Matthew Holt of The Health Care Blog sent me a message that they are close to announcing the agenda for the March 2008 Health 2.0 Spring Fling in San Diego. In preparation for the conference the planners are out seeking real life examples of Health 2.0 technologies in action.Below is Matthew's summary of the panel format and information on how you can participate or help to locate someone using health 2.0 type technology to improve the every day care of their patients.I plan to submit some suggestions of a couple of West Virginia providers for the Health 2.0 team to check out. If you know of someone who might fit the mold for connecting consumers to providers -- please leave a comment or send an email directly to John at the email listed below.We are excited to announce a new panel format ... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1091298 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 13:32:00 +0100 1091298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1084163&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fkibbeemarkle-exploration-of-consumer.html Dr. David Kibbee provides great insight on the meeting by the Markle Foundation and what it might mean for Health 2.0, consumer driven health care and how health data is managed by traditional health care providers and payors. Well worth the read for anyone interested in where health information might be headed.I look forward to reading the public policy document cited in his post, Consumer Access Practices for Networked Health Information." Dr. Kibbee hits on a point that I continue to explore from a legal perspective. He makes the statement:Markle has lifted the discussion onto another level, and this time it's about health data, its ownership and rules of access, and its uses in our nation to promote health and wellness.We are in the midst of a wave of change in the ownership rights of ... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1084163 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:26:00 +0100 1084163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=853108&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Feconomist-and-health-20.html The Economist takes a glimpse at Health 2.0.Thanks to Scott Shreeve, MD for pointing out the article. Scott has great insight on what changes might be happening to health care as this new technology and social networking begins to invade traditional models of health care delivery. Scott is working on a white paper styled after Tim O'Reilly titled, What is Health 2.0? Enabling Technologies and Reform Initiatives for Next Generation Healthcare.I'm looking forward to talking with Scott, Matthew Holt and others who will be attending the Health 2.0 conference later this month. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=853108 Sun, 09 Sep 2007 12:17:00 +0100 853108 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=797882&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fnyt-looks-at-dr-google-and-dr-microsoft.html Today's NYT article, Dr. Google and Dr. Microsoft, takes a look at how Google and Microsoft are focusing efforts on the health care industry and how to improve the traditional health care system by utilizing technology to allow patients greater access and control over their personal health information. Both companies are still in the planning phase and trying to determine what will work and what patients might want (and use).Interestingly, the article mentions a little more about what Google Health might look like. The Google Health prototype focuses on the health consumer:The welcome page reads, “At Google, we feel patients should be in charge of their health information, and they should be able to grant their health care providers, family members, or whomever they choose, access to thi... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=797882 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:40:00 +0100 797882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=545055&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fwhat-google-health-might-look-like.html Google Vice President, Adam Bosworth asks the following question over that the Google Blog -- How do you know you're getting the best care possible?The post raises some great questions of those interested in seeking improved health care information online and becoming more engaged (and knowledgeable) in their own health care. For example, what online medical information is more reliable? How to assess whether we are getting the best care? I would add to the list of questions -- what health care provider can provide me with the most economical health care?The post highlights the need for "us" as patients to be better advocates for ourselves when visiting a health care professional for treatment. More individuals individuals are faced with the question of care vs. cost which has lead to pati... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=545055 Sun, 15 Apr 2007 11:34:00 +0100 545055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=473747&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fying-and-yang-of-health-privacy.html Christina's Considerations posts a quote by Dr. William Yasnoff from a recent New York Times article, Warnings Over Privacy of U.S. Health Network. The quote caught my eye because it highlights what I'll refer to as the ying and yang involved in the conversion to a more comprehensive interoperable health information system and how you and I as patients may react.The quote reads:"Anything you do to make information more accessible for good, laudable purposes will simultaneously make it more accessible for evil nefarious purposes. People intuitively understand that, and they are worried."Those of us working on health privacy and e-health issues should regularly consider and reassess this principal as we move forward to transform the way health information is collected, stored, used, disclose... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=473747 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 06:33:00 +0100 473747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=462981&cid=t_99823_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Fwvhin-executive-director-wanted.html In 2006 I was appointed to serve a four year term as a Board Member of the new West Virginia Health Information Network (WVHIN). The WVHIN was created in 2006 to help guide the state's efforts and oversee the implementation of a private/public interoperable health information system for West Virginia.Last week I was speaking with Sallie Hunt, Chief Privacy Officer for the State of West Virginia, who has been instrumental in overseeing the initial activities and assisting with the startup of the WVHIN. She advised that they are now in the process of searching for a full time Executive Director. If you are interested in applying for the position or know of someone who might be interested, please contact Sallie Hunt at (304) 558-7000 Ext. 252.Sallie provided me with the following summary of... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=462981 Sat, 20 Jan 2007 18:59:00 +0100 462981