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 'industry news'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:33:33 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181970&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhi-tech-choose-your-own-adventure-coming-medical-school-near-you Though it was longer ago than I care to admit, I can remember checking out every copy of the Choose Your Own Adventure® series my local library had to offer. Whether it was “Prisoner of the Ant People” or “Zombie Penpal” (nope, I didn’t make those titles up!), those books allowed me to control my own destiny, choose my own fate – escape from the ant people or allow my long-distance pal to eat my brains for breakfast. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181970 Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:02:32 +0100 5181970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182342&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F09%2Ffuture-of-pathology-jim-harrison.html This is a guest blog note by Jim Harrison, M.D., Ph.D. He is a pathologist and Associate Professor at the University of Virginia. It's a repost of a document that he circulated on the Association for Pathology Informatics (API) listserv earlier in the year and is, in part, a compilation of input from other pathologists about anticipated changes in AP and CP. Earlier this summer I posted a request to the API list for thoughts about key changes that might occur in AP and CP within the next five years and how those changes might be best supported by IT. A similar request was passed around in CAP's informatics-related committees, and the results were compiled for distribution to the CAP Pathology Transformation project. I did receive several responses from this list, so I'm summari... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182342 Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:42:49 +0100 5182342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181971&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Felevator-pitch-your-60-second-commercial Trade shows, conferences, networking events…these are all prime opportunities to grease the opportunity wheel. Say you’ve been eyeballing a certain hospital or company, maybe you even submitted a resume already, but you’re at an event and suddenly an executive is standing right in front of you. Here’s your chance to talk yourself up and shine, but you might only have their attention for a minute. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181971 Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:17:36 +0100 5181971 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181974&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-evaluate-hipaa-security-compliant-data-center If you host your healthcare data with a data center, certain administrative, physical and technical safeguards should be in place, as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule. Although all service providers tout their data centers as secure, how do you confirm it truly is HIPAA Security Rule compliant?  read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181974 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:57:30 +0100 5181974 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181975&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fehr-incentives-likely-improve-quality Healthcare is one of the last industries in the United States to universally incorporate technological advancements. While most sectors have made significant investments in information technology to improve efficiency and consumer relationships, America’s health care system is still largely paper-driven. As a result the healthcare system is plagued by inefficiency and poor quality. Delivery is slower, more prone to errors, and harder to measure and coordinate than it should be. Investments in health information technology can help improve this situation. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181975 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:19:45 +0100 5181975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181976&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fwisconsin-insurer-creates-mobilenurse-app A managed care organization serving more than 100,000 members in southern Wisconsin is entering the wild, wild world of mobile health apps with its own urgent care solution – and offering it for free to anyone who might want it. The Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation, based in Madison, is making its MobileNurse app available for iPhones and will have an Android version available shortly. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181976 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:08:00 +0100 5181976 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181980&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fwhy-are-millennials-vital-health-care Before we dive in, it is important to ensure we understand some of the characteristics of the Millennial Generation. The timing of this generation is generally those born between 1978 and 2000 (some say those born after 1980). Some of the characteristics of this generation include:* read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181980 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:14:43 +0100 5181980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182345&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F08%2Ftulaboratory-based-genetic-counselors-reduce-the-cost-of-ordered-tests.html Appropriate test ordering by clinicians is a key aspect of clinical laboratory management. It can save time and money. One of the most obvious goals of this approach is to cull out duplicate test orders when the patient in question is clinically stable and the additional results are useless. The number of test cycles to arrive at a diagnosis can also often be reduced by immediately ordering a more specific test rather than repetitive groups of less-specific tests. The more specific test may be more expensive than the others but the total cost of testing may be less. In general, clinicians often require the most advice when ordering molecular and genetic tests. They tend to be the most expensive, most complicated, and require the most interpretive skill. ARUP Laboratories has published a wh... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182345 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:54:47 +0100 5182345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174871&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F08%2Fmdespite-patent-victory-myriad-still-faces-challenges.html A recent article about Myriad Genetics makes some important points (see; Despite Gene Patent Victory, Myriad Genetics Faces Challenges). Here's an excerpt from it: Myriad Genetics retained its monopoly on a lucrative genetic test for breast cancer risk when a federal appeals court recently upheld the company’s patents on two human genes — and the validity of gene patents in general. But newer DNA-sequencing techniques are far faster and only a fraction of the cost of the 1990s technology that Myriad uses. Indeed, it will soon be possible to sequence a person’s entire genome, all 22,000 or so genes, for less than Myriad charges for just two genes. Executives at Myriad say they are preparing for changes. Although its major patents start expiring in 2014, the executives say the comp... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174871 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:10:36 +0100 5174871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174712&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Finternships-support-career-advancement HIMSS Career Services offers a variety of supporting tools in support of our member’s growth in the health IT profession.  One of these is our new offering called Health IT Internships on our Career Services website.  Health IT internships offer a chance to learn and to discover different elements that may be of interest and may also be a deciding factor on whether you would be satisfied in pursuing a future in health IT. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174712 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:38:11 +0100 5174712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174713&cid=t_224421_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=5159861&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F08%2Ffepic-beaker-ready-or-not.html There is going to be a lot of money made as the result of the potentially large-scale deployment of Epic's immature LIS called Beaker. One of the first in line to shake this money tree will be KLAS. Here is their announcement of a report on this topic by the company (see: Epic Beaker: Ready or Not?): The laboratory market typically sees little movement. Because of the expense and complexity from a laboratory system’s deep penetration into a hospital, laboratory systems are not changed frequently. If providers do change, it is rarely from a more sophisticated solution to a more immature one. One product that seems to be bucking that trend is Epic Beaker, Epic’s newly available laboratory solution. Of surveyed Epic hospitals currently using other laboratory solutions, over half are p... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159861 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:19:45 +0100 5159861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159314&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Femergency-room-balancing-act There seems to be an undercurrent of debate going on with regard to emergency room wait times. I’ve come across a number of articles and blogs lately having to do with the growing trend of hospitals advertising the wait times of their ERs to the surrounding community. Healthcare IT is helping many to go mobile with these timely messages. Patients in need of emergency care can text their zip code to 4ER411 and receive a list of area hospitals and their ER wait times from Miami-based ER Texting. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159314 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:02:16 +0100 5159314 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159315&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fdoctors-documentation-how-get-physicians-board-icd-10-initiatives ICD-10 implementation is a problem that affects how physicians will practice medicine. But just how to you persuade them that they need to get involved in the training and planning now? The first thing you do is put a physician on the ICD-10 steering committee. That physician is going to be your champion who gets his or her peers to understand and support the changes needed. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159315 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:56:36 +0100 5159315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159317&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhospital-marketing-are-you-ready-patient-experience Social media in healthcare is evolving and finding its way into operational and clinical tools and this has been where much of my focus has been lately.  However, I do want to check-in with where healthcare social media got it's start and a recent survey of hospital marketers will help us with this. Some interesting survey results were released not long ago and I want to share the link to the report and highlight a couple of things.  By 2013, hospital marketers predict: read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159317 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:52:46 +0100 5159317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159863&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F08%2Fapathology-informatics-2011-conference-only-six-weeks-away-1.html The second annual Pathology Informatics 2011 conference is only about six weeks away. It will be held in Pittsburgh on October 4-7, 2011. It's the merged version of two prior, long-standing informatics conference, APIII and Lab InfoTech Summit. You can review the entire conference schedule as well as register on-line. Three separate content tracks are being offered: Clinical Information Management, System Support and Connectivity, and Digital Imaging. The 3 1/2 day conference with a venue at the Pittsburgh Wyndham Grand offers an opening day with three workshops, included in the registration fee, 10 plenary lectures, and 27 track lectures. A total of 43 faculty members will participate. Also presented will be about 40 scientific presentations and 15 e-posters that have been selected fr... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159863 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:47:29 +0100 5159863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159319&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ffive-rights-staffing-maximizing-clinical-and-financial-benefits-acuity-system Hospitals and health systems often purchase acuity systems as a valuable tool to allocate nursing resources based on patient care needs. However, these organizations don’t always use their acuity systems to their full capability. In many cases, at least one of what we call “the five rights of staffing” is absent. According to “the five rights of staffing,” an acuity system should give hospitals: 1)    the right number of staff 2)    with the right skills read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159319 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:39:23 +0100 5159319 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159320&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmember-advancement-himss-what-it-what-does-it-mean HIMSS has a very strong foundation and history of educating its membership on the many healthcare industry topics we have seen past, present and in the future health ideals in discussion today. HIMSS places a strong emphasis on professional development for our members with well over 35,000 individual members alone of which more than two thirds work in healthcare provider, not for profit or government organizational spaces.  HIMSS very much has the pulse of the heath industry at its fingertips. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159320 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:29:38 +0100 5159320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159321&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2F3-trends-impacting-growth-texas-medical-real-estate As a booming state in many aspects, it’s no surprise that Texas is also a leading state in new hospital construction and renovation. As reported by Reed Construction, Texas is building $1 billion or greater in hospital new construction and hospital renovation. Among the factors contributing to this increase are: a growing population, aging elder demographic and a movement to an urban setting. 3 Trends Impacting the Growth of Texas Medical Real Estate 1)    Population Growth: read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159321 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:26:06 +0100 5159321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139949&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fsocial-vs-professional-networking-sites There has been significant debate over how much information an employer should be privy to when researching a candidate. Should they do an Internet search and glimpse at your Facebook profile? Is this legal or even ethical? When it comes down to it, potential employers don’t care about what you had for dinner the night before or how a movie made you “LOL.” Social networking sites are still taboo…for now. You might want to check those privacy settings though, just in case. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139949 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:23:52 +0100 5139949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139951&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fannouncing-metadata-pilots-realize-pcast-vision Those of you keeping a close eye on the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and its activities might have noticed the advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) that was published on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, requesting public input on a set of proposed metadata standards recommended to ONC by the HIT Standards Committee. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139951 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:25:30 +0100 5139951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140316&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F08%2Fturning-a-static-print-ad-into-a-video-lessons-for-the-clinical-lab-industry.html A recent full-page advertisement in the New York Times by Goldman Sachs reminded me how an embedded QR code can greatly enhance its value. Adjacent to the QR code at the bottom of the page was the following caption: Watch the story on your smartphone. To interpret a QR code that appears in a print print ad such as this one on my smartphone, I launch Google Goggles and snap an image of the barcode. The app then interprets the QR bar code, displays the URL for the web site, and then navigates, at my command, to the on-line video. You get the basic idea. Here's a short explanation of QR codes (see: QR code): A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is readable by dedicated QR readers, smartphones, and, to a less common ex... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140316 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:30:21 +0100 5140316 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140317&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F08%2Fthe-most-important-iphone-app-for-pathologists.html In response to a blog note about iPhone ecosystems (see: The iPhone Effect: Smartphones and Their App Ecosystems Have Changed Everything), a reader, Christopher Metts, asked the following question as a comment: If [you] wanted to create an app for a practicing pathologist, what do you think it should do? It's an interesting question and, for me, the answer seems to be obvious.  However, I need to qualify my answer. First, it will encompass all smart phones and not just the iPhone as well as tablets such as the iPad. Secondly. my response will include two broad functions rather than specific app products. Various apps with these functionalities do exist but I don't want to single out any of them. The two functional categories that come to mind for smartphone/tablets that will ... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140317 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:42:01 +0100 5140317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139952&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fdocuments-vs-data In "The XML Consensus is breaking down" Grahame Grieve distinguishes three camps, heavy engineering crowd, the internet mob, and the data dictionary crowd. He discusses how XML seems to be failing to bring these crowds together. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139952 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:51:04 +0100 5139952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130866&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fyour-resumeto-post-or-not-post We are seeing more and more on line opportunities to post our resumes whether it is anonymously or otherwise.  Organizations allow us to post our resume and keep it “on file” but all too often we think to ourselves: “will anyone even read this resume or is it going into an abyss?” read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130866 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:21:23 +0100 5130866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125830&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhit-acos-need-part-i-analytic-data The Accountable Care Organization draft rule (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-7880.htm) is out, and the political, clinical and technical trek to establishing these lynchpins of the Affordable Care Act and health reform is on. Community physicians and hospitals are jockeying for potential shares of the incentives that will be distributed via the ACO program. Health Information Technology has been so frequently cited as being a critical part of making ACOs successful that it is now de rigueur. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125830 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:17:53 +0100 5125830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118758&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fless-more-creating-job-posting-attract-right-candidates More than once employers have asked me what they should include in a job posting and if there is any space limitation. I like to use the Goldilock’s analogy: too much information and you could lose applicants and the same applies if there is too little information. Somewhere in the middle is just right. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118758 Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:29:42 +0100 5118758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118760&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fintegrating-social-media-emergency-preparedness-efforts The NEJM includes an article that addresses the integration of social media in emergency preparedness efforts from the perspective of physicians. I appreciate the examples they share and agree with the authors.  Key issues include: read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118760 Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:29:50 +0100 5118760 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118761&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhealthcare-different I'm often asked why healthcare has been slow to automate its processes compared to other industries such as the airlines, shipping/logistics, or the financial services industry. Many clinicians say that healthcare is different. I'm going to be a bit controversial in this post and agree that healthcare has unique challenges that make it more difficult to automate than other industries. Here's an inventory of the issues: read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118761 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:00:16 +0100 5118761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107664&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fabcs-123s-and-healthcare-it My oldest daughter started kindergarten this week – a big day for our entire family. A few tears were shed as she hung up her school bag and told us goodbye, and she seemed a bit shell shocked by the whole experience once back home. Her only negative comment was that “there are so many rules!” read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107664 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:13:20 +0100 5107664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107666&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Frecognition-never-hurts-career We have all won an award of some sort, whether it a spelling bee as a child, an award for placing in a sporting event or as recognition for a job well done and it felt personally rewarding.  In our careers, awards are a positive affirmation from the outside world of our work performance judged. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107666 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:26:07 +0100 5107666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107667&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2F2-ways-hospital-new-construction-provides-long-term-growth-strategies At a medical office conference I attended, influential hospital executives stated that investing their capital in infrastructure needs and health information technology (IT) took priority over building new or renovating existing hospital ancillary facilities. However, the many advantages to  new facility construction support hospital growth strategies and has the potential to help the long term viability of any health system. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107667 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:24:12 +0100 5107667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096462&cid=t_224421_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=5096463&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fsharpening-your-job-hunting-skills Searching for a new job is almost a full-time job in itself. There are thousands of job boards to choose from and then there are the profiles you have on professional networking sites that need to be updated (LinkedIn, Plaxo, etc…). This is just the beginning. If you sign up for all of these resources, they need cultivation and frequent maintenance (plus, you need to remember the user names and passwords for them all).  read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096463 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:32:03 +0100 5096463 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096465&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhealth-information-exchange-current-projects-inspiring-future-pathways There’s been a lot of talk lately about the future of health information exchange (HIE)—what it will mean 10, 15 or even 20 years down the road. There is no question that providers recognize the importance of HIE, and realize in combination with electronic health records (EHRs) that it will transform the practice of medicine. The question is whether providers are fully aware of the many HIE projects on the ground right now that already are beginning to impact patient care. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096465 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:07:33 +0100 5096465 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5097118&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F08%2Fmara-aspinall-appointed-president-of-roches-ventana-medical-systems.html An important new executive appointment has recently occurred -- Mara Aspinall, a well-known expert in the diagnostics industry, has been appointed president of Roche's Ventana Medical Systems (see: Roche Appoints Mara G. Aspinall President of Ventana Medical Systems), Below is an excerpt from the press release: Ventana Medical Systems..., a member of the Roche Group, announced...the appointment of Mara Aspinall to the role of President, Ventana Medical Systems.  Aspinall was most recently Founder, President, and CEO of On-Q-ity, a start-up diagnostics company focused on circulating tumor cell technology. Prior to this, Aspinall spent twelve years with Genzyme Corporation where she held senior leadership roles such as President of Genzyme Genetics and President of Pharmaceuticals.... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5097118 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:46:12 +0100 5097118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096467&cid=t_224421_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=5096470&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2F2-healthcare-facility-design-trends Today hospital executives can say that their facilities are unlike their predecessors ten years ago, but in another ten years from now health facilities will be even more sophisticated and advanced than the most modern centers today. Being able to see ahead of the curve to accommodate future situations is key for any health facility to stay successful and thrive as market conditions change, patient preferences switch, and amenities not thought related to hospitals are suddenly in high demand. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096470 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:12:30 +0100 5096470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086327&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fjoin-organization-network-and-get-involved Often times we are so involved in our day to day jobs that we sometimes neglect our careers and the trajectory we want to try and follow.  A job should always bring some type of added skills that expand our career horizons whether it  be adding new talents acquired, engaging into new opportunities or creating and expanding our career networking.  We also have to start thinking about replacing the word “job” with “career."  And networking is an excellent mechanism to support career paths and should be used not only to try to secure a job when approp read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086327 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:21:34 +0100 5086327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077827&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fbilingual-staff-valuable-healthcare-lack-training-liability This is the third post in a multi-part series about the new Joint Commission standards on language access requirements for limited English proficient patients.   read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077827 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:56:24 +0100 5077827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069579&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fare-job-boards-dead I recently attended a webinar which was almost like a State of the Union address for job boards and online recruiting. Just in the past two years this medium has evolved. The rise in unemployment has sent job seekers to the Internet in droves. Social media has started to play an increasing role in recruitment as well. LinkedIn especially has become the land for virtual headhunters. With all of these components in play, a rumor is going around that job boards are dead. This isn’t true. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069579 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:41:38 +0100 5069579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069580&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fartful-advocacy-healthcare-it From my perch in this business, I read and hear a lot about how healthcare IT is meant to help transform patient care. A laudable goal, to be sure. But rarely do I come face to face with the patients these technologies are being created for – a situation many in this industry probably find themselves in until they or a family member becomes the patient. Even more rare (or so I thought) is the mention of art in the healthcare IT lexicon. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069580 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:38:08 +0100 5069580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069583&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fwhat-are-you-afraid I read a post earlier today talking about concerns of a healthcare organization that would be sharing its data with its patients.  One of the concerns was that sharing the data (with a competitor) would make it easier for the patient to get care elsewhere. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069583 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:26:54 +0100 5069583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062337&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fdownside-patient-centered-medical-homes-social-media-conversations Last week, Diana Manos, senior editor at Healthcare IT News, reported on the importance of patient-centered medical homes. She covered the annual National Health IT and Delivery System Transformation Summit, which displayed how PCMH can greatly reduce costs and improve care. One of her sources, James Dearing, DO, a family practice physician, outlined four benefits of a patient-centered home. Here is a recap: read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062337 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:34:37 +0100 5062337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062338&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fcertifications-do-i-need-one It is often asked today whether obtaining certifications in health IT is of benefit to a healthcare career path and/or will obtaining a certification guarantee securing employment? Well, first thing nothing is ever a guarantee in securing employment because so many variables play into that next career step. But to level set the certification question, various professional certifications are found in almost every industry of today. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062338 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:46:43 +0100 5062338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050817&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmeaningful-use-clinical-summaries One of the most mis-understood Meaningful Use core measures for EPs is the objective to: “Provide clinical summaries for patients for each office visit" The required measure threshold for this objective is that: “Clinical summaries provided to patients for more than 50 percent of all office visits within 3 business days."  EPs have the option to exclude this core measure if they “have no office visits during the EHR reporting period”. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050817 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:02:47 +0100 5050817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051260&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F07%2Fclinical-trials-for-early-detection-of-alzheimers-disease-planned.html From a diagnostic perspective, one of the hottest current issues is the early detection of Alzheimer's disease. The volume of testing for Alzheimer's will undoubtedly be large so that the commercial market for a lab test will be attractive (see: Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease with Imaging and Biomarkers). Also, obtaining a population of patients with documented early disease is critical in the development of clinical trials for early drug treatment. Below is an excerpt from an article about early testing for three gene mutations (see: Clinical trials to detect Alzheimer’s 20 years before dementia onset planned): Inherited forms of Alzheimer’s disease may be detectable as many as 20 years before problems with memory and thinking develop....Identifying Alzheimer’s in its ea... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051260 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:51:44 +0100 5051260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050819&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fwomans-view-healthcare-it I recently had the opportunity to attend an event in my hometown of Atlanta that honored the top 25 women in healthcare – a group of powerful and intelligent providers and payers that are leading the industry into a new era. The awards were preceded by a conference featuring such illustrious speakers as the US Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin. I think it’s safe to say that everyone in the audience came away feeling like yes, we’ve come a long way, but that there is so much more to be done in terms of truly transforming healthcare delivery. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050819 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:20:43 +0100 5050819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050821&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fresume-writing-101 There is a scene in the movie Legally Blonde where Reese Witherspoon’s character, Elle Woods, is asked if she has a resume. She does and immediately hands it over – on scented pink paper. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050821 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:10:50 +0100 5050821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051262&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F07%2Forchard-integrated-diagnostics.html Integrated diagnostics can be achieved by breaking down the sub-specialty silos in the diagnostic specialties like pathology, laboratory medicine, and radiology. The current standard of practice is to present the procedure and test-ordering clinicians with individualized reports from the various specialty labs (e.g., surgical pathology, immunology, microbiology) and radiology units like MRI and CT. This approach results from the super-specialization and subdivision of the diagnostics specialties. Under the integrated diagnostics mantra, the goal of integrating the diverse diagnostic reports is moved upstream and becomes the responsibility of the diagnosticians themselves rather than the clinicians. In my mind, the first major movement toward integrated diagnostics on the manufacturing side... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051262 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:38:01 +0100 5051262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050824&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fconnecting-california-improve-patient-care I finally made it to Redwood MedNet Health Information Exchange Conference and share my learnings and thoughts below. I first learned about their activities when still working for the Santa Barbara County Care Data Exchange back in 2005.  It is great to see how far they have come! Privacy read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050824 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:51:49 +0100 5050824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050826&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Feducation-can-be-impactful-even-when-remote Continuing Education goes hand in hand with supporting our career goals through the various life cycles of advancement. And, having the ability for timely access to information is a key contributor in keeping step with the forever changing healthcare landscape. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050826 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:12:34 +0100 5050826 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050827&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2F4-ways-digital-hospital-signage-improves-hospital-experience Hospital signage benefits are most easily seen through the enhanced navigation experience provided for patients, but benefits also come with a multitude of other factors. From bolstering brand identity to reducing administration costs, hospital signage is a growing industry with a continuous supply of new and sophisticated tools that spread hospital communication. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050827 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:10:12 +0100 5050827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028563&cid=t_224421_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=5028564&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fstarting-new-religion I spent some time recently on a call regarding yet another government agency's interest in interoperability in Healthcare IT. It seems, with the advent of meaningful use, interconnected healthcare IT applications and devices, that Interoperability has become the new religion. As with any new "fad", a lot of previously uninvolved organizations are trying to see how they can capitalize upon it and the existing stakeholders are looking at how they should do so also. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028564 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:10:53 +0100 5028564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028567&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fpersonal-health-information-and-rupert-murdoch-effect Personal health information and the lack of security surrounding it has caused quite a bit of buzz lately. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028567 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:26:32 +0100 5028567 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028568&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ftransparency-social-media-employers-you-could-be-losing-job-candidates-they-even-apply Remember in high school how it didn’t take long for a rumor or juicy piece of gossip to run rampant through the halls and spread faster than a wildfire fueled by 80 MPH winds? Well, social media is the new word of mouth. Most job seekers, before they even submit their resume for consideration, head to the Internet to find out more about their prospective employer. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028568 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:22:18 +0100 5028568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5029241&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F07%2Fcontinuing-discussion-and-clarification-of-the-topic-of-ivdmias-and-ldts-1.html In response to my note yesterday (see: Cancer Diagnostic Scandal at Duke; More Regulation of Multiplexed LDTs in the Future?), two comments were submitted. The first, from molecular pathologist and informaticist Federico Monzon, serves to clarify some of the confusion that I have introduced into the discussion of IVDMIAs and LDTs: You need to make a distinction between multiplexed biomarker tests and LDTs. Your article appears to equate the two. Laboratory developed tests (LDTs) are commonplace in diagnostic laboratories (most molecular tests, HLA, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry assays are LDTs). LDTs can be developed for a single analyte (such as KRAS, Ki67, etc.) or can be multianalyte (a.k.a. IVDMIAs, such as the Duke example). Some multianalyte tests are commercially offered a... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5029241 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:56:40 +0100 5029241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028570&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Favoid-1-e-prescribing-penalty The Federal Government’s commitment to advancing healthcare IT is seen in its “carrot and stick” approach. Now, for the first time, physicians who are not yet e-prescribing are feeling the “stick” end of the equation. Those doctors who did not report at least 10 paperless drug orders to CMS by the end of June will be penalized by a 1% reduction in Medicare payments. A limited number of hardship exceptions exist: read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028570 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:25:05 +0100 5028570 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028571&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2F2-studies-demonstrating-roi-satellite-emergency-clinics Some health systems are continuing to implement satellite emergency clinics as health system executives see heightened profit margins. Whether for patients with long drive times in rural communities or set in urban settings for a more convenient and quicker treatment, satellite emergency departments are attractive prospects and as two studies show, a fairly lucrative proposition for a health system looking to develop. Excessive Hospital ER Costs: read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028571 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:16:22 +0100 5028571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028572&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fso-where-can-i-really-find-job We keep hearing about healthcare IT jobs. And in fact, we are actually seeing more energy around creating healthcare IT jobs than ever before.  Sometimes, however frustration sets in when the jobs we seek don’t directly present themselves whether it be in ads, an article or even on-line job surfing.  So, having the ability to facilitate job searches and educational needs is exactly what HIMSS Career Services is energized to support. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028572 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:12:43 +0100 5028572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5029243&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F07%2Fcancer-diagnostic-scandal-at-duke-more-regulation-of-ldts-1.html I have posted a number of previous notes about those diagnostic tests consisting of a set of biomarkers plus an computer algorithm used to interpret the results. This type of lab test was previously referred to as in-vitro diagnostic multivariate indexed assays (IVDMIAs) by the FDA. More recently, they have been called laboratory developed tests (LDTs). Historically, this type of test was also referred to informally in the industry as home-brew. A simple definition for an LDT is that the test reagents are developed by a single lab and all of the testing is performed by that lab. IVDMIAs/LDTs can be used for various purposes including the detection of the presence of a neoplasm in a diagnostic workup using serum. A second purpose has been to analyze the antigens present on a patient's t... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5029243 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:57:43 +0100 5029243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008380&cid=t_224421_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_224421_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_224421_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=5008383&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fget-familiar-healthcare-acronyms It doesn’t matter anymore if you are a recent graduate, changing careers, trying to stabilize your current career or if you are even trying to advance in your current role, the use of acronyms is everywhere in healthcare because they (acronyms) have always been a mainstay in healthcare. We all realize the health care field has a language of its own and often time’s newer members in particular to health IT careers feel overwhelmed. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008383 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:29:49 +0100 5008383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984704&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F06%2Flower-blood-tranfusion-rates-as-a-metric-for-high-quality-care.html Generally speaking, I think that the amount of blood transfused to a patient can and should be used as a metric for the quality of care delivered by physicians, particularly surgeons. I have long been aware of differences in transfusion rates by hospitals or by regions of the country. Much of this can be explained by local customs and norms rather than well defined standards of care. When I was a blood banker back in the 1970's, one of the hospital cardiac surgeons would frequently transfuse six units of blood for a CABG when type-and-screen was the common blood order for the same procedure at the Cleveland Clinic. Once again, or perhaps still, the amount of blood being transfused is in the news. (see: Too many blood transfusions? New standards urged). Below is an excerpt from a recent... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984704 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:03:47 +0100 4984704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975993&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fgoogle-health-too-early-market Few are surprised by this NY Times headline – Google to End Health Records Service After It Fails to Attract Users. Rumors and expectations of this announcement have been in the market for several months now. Reality has struck. Google Health evaporates. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975993 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:29:15 +0100 4975993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975994&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhimss-career-services-member-needs Welcome to the first blog for HIMSS Career Services!  My name is Helen Figge, Senior Director of Career Services at HIMSS and excited to connect with you. I am a pharmacist by trade but have experience in various aspects of healthcare including teaching, research, grant writing, clinical practice, industrial sales and healthcare practice management. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975994 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:58:11 +0100 4975994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975995&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fincreasing-hospital-efficiency-growing-value-mid-level-providers Mid-level providers, commonly called registered nurses (RNs) or physicians’ assistants (PAs) are a beacon of hope for struggling hospitals as the physician attrition rate and the number of aging Americans continues to spiral upwards. RNs and PAs may help lower costs as well as increase patient care for hospitals in several ways. Two of them are: Medicare reimbursements and reduced readmissions. Reimbursements: read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975995 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:52:54 +0100 4975995 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968646&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-much-would-you-pay-your-medical-record I recently had to request my medical records from former physicians and have them sent to a new specialist I’m seeing. It is incredibly important for me that my new physician has a comprehensive perspective of my health. I truly believe that if he doesn’t have a complete picture, his decisions may not consider the context of my condition, and my lifestyle and personal will as a part of the solution. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968646 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:31:27 +0100 4968646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968921&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F06%2Fpathology-resident-travel-awards-available-for-pathology-informatics-2011-conference.html The Association for Pathology Informatics is awarding a limited number of stipends of $1,500 to attend the Pathology Informatics 2011 Conference at the Pittsburgh Wyndham Grand hotel in Pittsburgh. The conference will take place on October 4-7, 2011. Awardees must be residents, post-doctoral students, or fellows in accredited teaching programs. This is the premier pathology informatics conference in the country with three workshops, three discipline tracks, multiple keynote plenary lectures, 44 participating faculty members, and more than 40 exhibitors. Last year's PI-2010 presentation marked the first of these events. The conference represents a merger of two long-standing pathology informatics meetings, APIII and Lab InfoTech Summit. The application deadline for awards is August 1, 2... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968921 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:55:56 +0100 4968921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968647&cid=t_224421_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_224421_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_224421_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_224421_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=4953061&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fdoes-father-know-best-when-it-comes-pediatric-phrs My musings in a recent blog about my pie-in-the sky dream of an effective pediatric personal health record (PHR) for parents were turned on their head recently when I came across news about a California-based company creating just such a product. (I should know by now that I’ll always be at least three steps behind the development gurus of healthcare IT.) read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953061 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:16:54 +0100 4953061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953062&cid=t_224421_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=4934454&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ffate-obamneycare-social-media-reactions In early April of 2006, then Massachusetts Governor and current 2012 GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney signed the most influential bill of his political career. The law required that all citizens of Massachusetts have health insurance. When 2008 rolled around and President Obama took office, he did not support the individual mandate as part of his new healthcare reform plan. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934454 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:59:45 +0100 4934454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934455&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fvideo-gaming-your-way-better-health The healthcare IT community is a technologically savvy lot, to be sure. Dreaming up systems that will ultimately improve patient health (and perhaps a bottom line or two) is certainly the work of creative and dedicated professionals. Which is why I’d bet dollars to doughnuts that when this crowd needs to blow off steam after a hard day’s work, they flip on their favorite gaming console – or at least click over to Farmville to see how their latest cash crop is coming along. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934455 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:26:59 +0100 4934455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4945221&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F06%2Falgorithms-as-the-next-generation-of-innovative-laboratory-and-clinical-tests.html I was somewhat surprised by a recent article suggesting that algorithms themselves will constitute a new type of medical test. The short article cited the work of Predictive Medical Technologies as a basis for this claim. The company software generates health predictions based on previous clinical data for ICU patients (see: Algorithms are the new medical tests; How data and algorithms help doctors make use of real-time data). Below is an excerpt from the article: Predictive Medical Technologies claims that it can use real-time, intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring data to predict clinical events like cardiac arrest up to 24 hours ahead of time. Effectively, the startup's algorithms are new types of medical tests that an ICU doctor can take into consideration when deciding on a course ... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4945221 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:05:24 +0100 4945221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934456&cid=t_224421_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_224421_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_224421_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=4934459&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ffive-factors-showing-growth-medical-real-estate An article headline caught my attention the other day, “A thriving medical industry is a boon for the building.” That statement rings true from my perspective. The medical industry is doing well, and with halted construction projects from the economic downturn back on track, medical real estate’s potential is coming into full swing. There are five main contributing factors for this growth: market economics, healthcare reform, aging Baby Boomers, increase in outpatient centers and a patient centric hospital experience. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934459 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:26:52 +0100 4934459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921569&cid=t_224421_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=4921765&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F06%2Fa-new-take-on-personalized-medicine.html The overarching definition for personalized medicine has always been the following: the right drug for the right patient at the right time (see: Further Consideration of the Definition for Personalized Medicine; Term "Personalized Medicine" More About Business than Healthcare Delivery). Implicit in this definition has been the idea that the "right drug" will exploit the biologic weaknesses of a patient's tumor. The classic example has been the use of the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab, marketed as Herceptin, for breast tumors that overexpress the HER2/neu protein. A recent article discusses a subtle but interesting paradigm shift relating to personalised medicine and the workflow of cancer care (see: Personalized Medicine Redefines How Docs Treat Cancer). Below is ... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921765 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:17:43 +0100 4921765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911619&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fharmonizing-provider-directory-standards Two weeks ago, I wrote about a strawman for embracing internet-based standards to support the provider directory services needed by health information exchanges. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911619 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:49:07 +0100 4911619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911833&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F05%2Ffda-gearing-up-to-regulate-apps-and-social-media-or-not-2.html I have gotten used to a degree of vacillation from the FDA regarding various lab regulatory issues. A  recent chapter in this drama was the agency's ambiguity about lab tests originally called IVDMIAs and subsequently referred to as laboratory developed tests (LDTs). Now comes news that the agency may, or may not, regulate medical smartphone/tablet (i.e., mobile) apps and the use of social media by pharmaceutical companies (see: FDA Reportedly Gearing Up to Regulate Apps). Below is an excerpt from the article: From a no less august source than American Medical News comes a report that the FDA is considering the regulation of medical apps.  See “FDA Signals it Will Regulate Medical Apps“.   The article quotes a source who relayed that at a town hall meeting h... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911833 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:03:11 +0100 4911833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911620&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Flost-translation-clinical-decision-making-and-need-lab-data-standards The HITECH initiative and the promise of effectively coordinated care are fundamentally based on the adoption of standards as an integral part of the larger adoption of healthcare information technology. Numerous types of standards are being promoted, including messaging standards, secure communication standards and data standards. But perhaps, some of the most important standards are those that are not being enforced. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911620 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:35:04 +0100 4911620 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911621&cid=t_224421_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_224421_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=4902521&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fovercrowding-er-spurs-new-facility-development Even before accounting for the mass influx of Americans rushing to hospitals’ emergency departments from healthcare reform, EDs are in serious need of fine tuning as over crowding and escalating inpatient costs are on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency department visits increased 117 million from 2007 to 2008 and it shows no sign of slowing. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902521 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:21:14 +0100 4902521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902522&cid=t_224421_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=4902523&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fits-about-information-not-technology On Thursday (June 2), I joined other speakers at the IBM Healthcare Leadership Exchange, Transforming Healthcare, held at the Chicago IBM Transformation Center. My keynote presentation focused on “Healthcare in the US,” which seemed to balance the morning with the opening keynote by Susan J Hyatt, BSc (PT), MBA, CEO HyattDIO, Inc., Ontario, Canada, who discussed “Global Lessons on Delivering Strategic Healthcare Wins.” No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902523 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:17:00 +0100 4902523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902524&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fcda-levels-interoperability The need for interoperability is readily apparent in the healthcare industry. But what does interoperability mean with regards to richness of data? The CDA document is defined with three different levels of interoperability: No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902524 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:20:28 +0100 4902524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902525&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Frip-and-replace-atlanta-thrasher-fans-feel-providers-pain I’ve never given much thought to the similarities between the National Hockey League and the painful process I’ve heard referred to in the healthcare IT world as “rip and replace,” whereby a healthcare facility completely rips out an entire IT system for any number of reasons to replace it – usually - with a more modern, efficient and cost-effective product. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902525 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:17:25 +0100 4902525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902526&cid=t_224421_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_224421_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=4883714&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fphysicians-move-hospital-employment Physician employment by health systems is surging.  According to a 2009 poll by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) 65% of physicians who changed jobs in 2009 moved into a hospital employment model. Additionally, almost half of new fellows across all specialties agreed to become hospital employees. This shift in employment is also shifting the medical real estate market. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883714 Tue, 31 May 2011 12:18:40 +0100 4883714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872211&cid=t_224421_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=4862675&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fremember-your-manners At one time or another, you may have heard a book titled, “All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” by Robert Fulghum. The book is incredibly creative and acquired worldwide popularity for its nuanced way of explaining success in adulthood. Robert takes some of the lessons we learn in Kindergarten, like “share everything” and “hold hands and stick together,” as the foundation for our development as adults. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862675 Wed, 25 May 2011 14:49:40 +0100 4862675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862676&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fspinning-rhio-story A recent publication in the Annals of Internal Medicine has gotten quite a bit of attention in Health IT related media: RHIOs struggling to meet Meaningful Use Few RHIOs Meet Basic Criteria for Meaningful Use, Researchers Find No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862676 Tue, 24 May 2011 14:01:45 +0100 4862676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852987&cid=t_224421_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=4848030&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2F3-techniques-navigate-new-construction-projects-within-healthcare-reform One third of U.S. hospitals preparing to undertake construction projects already on the drawing board admit ignorance and uncertainty according to a 2011 ASHE survey, when asked, "Have plans changed for construction projects due to healthcare reform?" Additionally, 49% of hospitals in the U.S. are choosing to do nothing in a "wait and see" position until the fine print of healthcare reform becomes clearer. The remainder intend to move forward, but are reacting cautiously and fluidly to everyday currents of legislation. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848030 Fri, 20 May 2011 15:55:11 +0100 4848030 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841669&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ftop-five-icd-10 As the buzz at HIMSS this year indicated, ICD-10 is on the short list of things keeping hospital executives up at night. From 17,000 codes under ICD-9 to 155,000 under the new regulation, ICD-10 takes coding and reimbursement to a whole new level – and will exponentially impact the financial health of every hospital. Here is what every provider needs to know as they prepare for the transition:   No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841669 Thu, 19 May 2011 18:14:48 +0100 4841669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841670&cid=t_224421_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_224421_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=4841672&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmusings-phrs-consumer-engagement The recent post on Google Health going into the deep freeze has solicited a number of emails, including some from the press. In one of those emails a reporter had spoken to several industry thought leaders to garner their opinions which follow: Consumers will not sign on to most Personal Health Platforms (PHPs) or services due to the issue of trust. - Leading researcher and developer of an open PHP. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841672 Tue, 17 May 2011 13:12:06 +0100 4841672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4842001&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F05%2Foveruse-of-colonoscopy-in-medicare-cohort.html It probably will not come as a surprise to veteran observers of our healthcare delivery system that colonoscopies are overordered. This particular procedure is a major source of revenue for gastroenterologists and many healthcare consumers understand the advantages of preventive medicine. The key question, then, revolves around the question of how often to perform the procedure by age group. A recent article addresses this overutilization topic (see: 'Large' Overuse of Screening Colonoscopy in Medicare Cohort), Below is an excerpt from it: About half of a sample of 24,071 Medicare patients who had a negative screening colonoscopy were rescreened again in less than 7 years — well before the recommended interval of 10 years, according to a new study. And nearly half of the retested... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4842001 Tue, 17 May 2011 13:09:01 +0100 4842001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841673&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fshould-we-abandon-cloud It's been a bad month for the cloud. First there was the major Amazon EC2 (Elastic Cloud) outage April 21-22 that brought down many business and websites. Some of the data was unrecoverable and transactions were lost. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841673 Mon, 16 May 2011 13:40:07 +0100 4841673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4820958&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2F2-green-energy-building-techniques-healthcare-facilities Health facilities consume about two and one-half times the power of a standard commercial facility. They are massive consumers of energy and utilities due to a multitude of contributing factors including:  lengthy hours of operations, constant volume environmentally filtered air management, complex waste control systems, and extraordinary primary and secondary power equipment. Healthcare facilities are easily identifiable as a case study for green technology programs and the applications can be overwhelming. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4820958 Fri, 13 May 2011 19:33:10 +0100 4820958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4820959&cid=t_224421_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_224421_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=4803281&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fspeed-dating-it As a CIO, I gather information about new products and innovation in many ways. I search the web for emerging technologies, read numerous publications/newsletters, and constantly meet with vendors and IT professionals who are creating novel applications. However, it's not the most efficient way to rapidly assess whether products are operational or exist only in Powerpoint. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803281 Tue, 10 May 2011 13:37:24 +0100 4803281 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4794932&cid=t_224421_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=4794933&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Foffering-written-language-preference-patients-looms-challenge-hospitals This is the second post in a multi-part series about the new Joint Commission standards on language access requirements for limited English proficient patients. When hospitals ask patients about their language requirements, it is very important they ask the correct questions. We’ve all heard these questions – “Do you speak English?”, “Where were you born?”, “Where do you come from?”, or “What language do you speak?” Unfortunately, each of these risks complicating matters even further. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4794933 Fri, 06 May 2011 16:41:05 +0100 4794933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789398&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmay-fourth-be-youand-healthcare-it-innovation A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, healthcare seemed effortless – no red tape, co-pays or personal health records. The nearest physician was just a medical bay away - or in emergency cases, a simple kick into hyperdrive. As times got tough and evil Empire forces got in the way, the Rebel Alliance drew upon innovation and sheer determination to make a difference.   No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789398 Thu, 05 May 2011 12:18:33 +0100 4789398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789399&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fdata-security-debate-here-stay One of the biggest ongoing debates in the HIT world is how best to protect digitized health information. And based on the findings of a new survey, it seems safe to say that even as technology advances, those debates are going to continue. The survey comes from the Ponemon Institute, and in looking at the issue of data security as more people take to cloud computing, it finds just a small disagreement between cloud computing vendors and their prospective clients. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789399 Wed, 04 May 2011 13:26:03 +0100 4789399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775466&cid=t_224421_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=4758819&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ffailure-information-exchange As part of its response to the PCAST report, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) charged a review committee to analyze the PCAST recommendations. The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) called for greatly accelerated health information exchange and development of an increased focus on population health objectives. The report also recommended technologies for a Universal Exchange Language (UEL), Data Element Access Services (DEAS) and granular access controls. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758819 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:41:25 +0100 4758819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758820&cid=t_224421_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=4753978&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F04%2Fexhibitors-sought-for-pathology-informatics-2011-october-4-7-in-pittsburgh.html We are seeking exhibitors for the Pathology Informatics 2011 conference that will take place at the Wyndham Hotel in Pittsburgh on October 4-7, 2011. This conference resulted from a merger of two previous pathology informatics conferences, Lab Infotech Summit and APIII. The inaugural merged conference was held in Boston last September. A total of 41 exhibitors participated in that event with about 250 paid registrants in attendance. A total of twenty-five companies have signed-up thus far to participate in Pathology Informatics 2011. They are the following: Aperio, Apollo PACS, ARUP Laboratories, Aurora Interactive, Beckman Coulter, Cerner, Dawning Technologies, Definiens, Elekta, General Data, Haemonetics Software Solutions, Halfpenny Technologies, McKesson Corporation, Milestone Medical,... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753978 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:07:51 +0100 4753978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734272&cid=t_224421_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_224421_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=4734274&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Finterview-louis-burns-ceo-care-innovations Louis Burns is CEO of Care Innovations, the joint venture between Intel and GE that’s aiming to change the world of home care and patient to clinician connectivity. Clearly there’s been lots of money and effort invested — but what are they doing and where are they going? And what new products and services can we expect (beyond the ones Eric Dishman told me about last Fall)? No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734274 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:19:16 +0100 4734274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4723995&cid=t_224421_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_224421_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=4704966&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F04%2Fpathologist-blogger-sought-to-maintain-pathtalkorg.html Dr. Kenneth Youens has emailed me that he is seeking a pathologist-blogger to take over responsibility for Pathtalk.org that he and colleagues developed as pathology residents. Below is his note. --BAF Pathtalk.org is a multiple-author pathology blog created in 2007 by a group of pathology residents for the purpose of providing an interesting, engaging and informative collection of posts on a variety of pathology-related topics.  The list of authors was expanded in 2009 to include several practicing pathologists.  Working together, we have been able to provide semi-regular posts to the site for several years, while distributing the work of creating content among the blog’s authors.  The readership of pathtalk.org has grown steadily, and several hundred readers follow up... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704966 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:14:29 +0100 4704966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693515&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F04%2Fcap-foundations-futurescape-coming-up-quickly.html The CAP Foundation's Futurescape of Pathology conference (IV) will be held on April 15-17 at the InterContinental Hotel near Chicago's O'Hare airport. I will be moderating the program on Saturday morning on digital pathology that will include a session entitled: The Development of National Electronic Pathology/Laboratory Networks. Faculty will include Kenneth J. Bloom, MD, of Clarient; Rob Atlas, President & CEO, Atlas Development Corporation; and Michael J. Becich, MD, PhD, from the University of Pittsburgh. In my opinion, the Futurescape conferences have been some of the best in the country regarding strategic positioning of pathology and the clinical labs. Ne sure to put this event on your calendar if you have concerns about the future of our speciality. (Source: Lab Sof... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693515 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:04:12 +0100 4693515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684489&cid=t_224421_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=4670200&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fimho-google-dropping-google-health-just-rumor There is a rumor out there that Google is planning on dropping Google Health, its personal health record platform. I’m going to go out on a limb here, and say it is highly unlikely the rumor is true, in my honest opinion (IMHO). And here's why.  read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670200 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:30:28 +0100 4670200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4658438&cid=t_224421_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_224421_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=4636528&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fafter-icd-10-will-coders-ever-regain-icd-9-efficiency-levels If anyone is suggesting that ICD-10 will not create a productivity drop in the days after compliance, they must be practicing silent protest. Most experts agree that come the flip-switch October 1, 2013 compliance deadline even seasoned, well-trained coders will take longer with the ICD-10 than they did with ICD-9. The overarching question is whether or not coders will master ICD-10 and, in so doing, resume ICD-9-era productivity? read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636528 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:22:30 +0100 4636528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4615233&cid=t_224421_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_224421_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_224421_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=4532318&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fdont-let-customized-applications-snarl-cash-flow-during-icd-10-conversion Most healthcare organizations have modified or customized their billing applications to meet their own unique needs in regard to payer mix, clinical programs, or provider-based billing arrangements. While these customizations are fine for their intended purposes, they nonetheless pose rather large obstacles to the ICD-10 code conversion process. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4532318 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:48:50 +0100 4532318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489769&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fextormity-himss11-mask-comes If you follow the goings-on in healthcare IT at all, you're probably familiar with an Aspen-based EHR vendor called Extormity. The firm, headed by its CEO, obscenely wealthy scratch golfer "Brantley Whittington," has been making waves of late with a series of provocative announcements. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489769 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:22:17 +0100 4489769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4482852&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fehrs-age-government-controlled-internet-kill-switches Egypt's crisis has raised alarms about national security and economic impact for Americans if regime change leads to an anti-US government controlling a strong ally in the Middle East.  This crisis raises another more personal concern for Americans that has been overlooked by the national media: The security and availability of your electronic medical records in the event of a government-imposed "kill switch" for the Internet. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4482852 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:03:26 +0100 4482852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4478170&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F02%2Fmmore-discussion-about-integration-of-surgical-pathology-with-molecular-diagnostics.html Discussion about the "Liquid Biopsy"). With rapid progress in solid tumor molecular testing and also ready access to "liquid biopsies" (i.e., circulating tumor cells or tumor cell antigens) in the near future, surgical pathologists may also end up as proficient data integrators. (Source: Lab Soft News) Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4478170 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:39:49 +0100 4478170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4464710&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F02%2Fmolecular-autopsies.html Discussion about the "Liquid Biopsy"). Another such pathology meme has now surfaced -- the molecular autopsy (see: Stanford's 'molecular autopsies' hope to help grieving families). A Google search for "molecular autopsy" produced nearly 8,000 hits. Below is an excerpt from a recent article using the term: Today, scientists at the Stanford School of Medicine are on a quest to find out, searching samples of [the] tissue [of a 9-year-old engineering student who dies suddenly] for genetic clues that might explain why the young man's heart suddenly stopped. The "molecular autopsy" is believed the first time that whole-genome sequencing has been used to seek a cause of death, although the Stanford team has used more focused genetic scans to investiga... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4464710 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:50:21 +0100 4464710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4455332&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2F7-tactics-making-icd-10-urgent What with meaningful use, EHRs, HIPAA 5010, and countless other healthcare projects, ICD-10 is on the backburner at many organizations. Yet, the deadline is approaching, achieving compliance is more complex than it may appear and the time is here to move ICD-10 up that priority list. With that in mind, two executives at Care Communications, a health information management consultancy, share their collective advice on raising the ICD-10 conversion's profile amid the din. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4455332 Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:38:01 +0100 4455332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4446041&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F02%2Fdanaher-to-acquire-beckman-coulter-for-8350-per-share-or-68-billion.html Danaher Corporation announced today that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Beckman Coulter in which Danaher will acquire Beckman Coulter by making a cash offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Beckman Coulter at a purchase price of $83.50 per share, for a total enterprise value of approximately $6.8 billion, including debt assumed and net of cash acquired (see: Danaher to Acquire Beckman Coulter, Inc. for $83.50 per share or $6.8 Billion)....With annual revenues of approximately $3.7 billion, Beckman Coulter develops, manufactures and markets products that simplify, automate and innovate complex biomedical testing. Its diagnostic systems are found in hospitals and other clinical settings around the world and produce information used by physic... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4446041 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:07:55 +0100 4446041 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4433158&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ften-technologies-engage-members-healthy-behavior As the availability of technical consumer healthcare applications continue to grow and with increasing complexity, members can realize the health benefits of technology.  There is also a mutual benefit for healthcare organizations where healthier members lead to higher value care with lower cost.  In order to support members in this process, healthcare organizations can support making these healthy tools available to members.  Here is a look at ten technologies to engage members in healthy behavior. 1) Real-Time Video Communication read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4433158 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:02:52 +0100 4433158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4433159&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2F2011-predictions-mu-goes-tactical-aco-strategic In the Healthcare IT (HIT) market, 2010 was the year of meaningful use (MU). Healthcare organizations (HCOs) of all sizes developed plans, began making IT modifications and began adopting the technology they needed to meet Stage One MU requirements and subsequently receive incentive payments, some of which began being disbursed in late 2010. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4433159 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:53:35 +0100 4433159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4433160&cid=t_224421_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=4433332&cid=t_224421_155_f&fid=34629&url=http%3A%2F%2Flabsoftnews.typepad.com%2Flab_soft_news%2F2011%2F02%2Fcommentary-clinical-labs-owned-by-pharmaceutical-companies.html I posted a blog note on January 28 (see: CLIA Certification and CRO/Pharma-Owned Molecular Diagnostic Labs) in which I commented on the new trend of Big Pharma purchasing molecular diagnostic labs. This  served as an incentive for Joe Plandowski to send me his reaction, which I offer below as a guest blog. I am not a fan of pharma-clinical lab combinations. While some of these combinations are occurring today, I'd watch for their demise over the next few years. I witnessed first-hand Pfizer and SmithKline trying to tie together the clinical labs they owned with their pharma businesses 25 years ago. It was eye-opening to see the far different operating mentalities between lab and pharma management. Pharma is a "blockbuster or bust" mentality with overall high margins. La... Lab Soft News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4433332 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 13:33:35 +0100 4433332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424303&cid=t_224421_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fsurvey-one-third-health-organizations-not-ready-hipaa-5010 Even with less than a year left until the compliance deadline – and monetary reimbursement on the line – a disconcerting number of healthcare entities indicated that they are not yet prepared for HIPAA 5010. HIMSS most recent ICD-10/5010 Readiness Survey, in fact, determined that among respondents “one third report they either don’t have a plan for [HIPAA 5010] testing, or won’t test until the fourth quarter of this year.” read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424303 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:27:29 +0100 4424303