CIO Survey: Docs Most Resistant to Change

Not surprisingly, the vast majority (74 percent) of CIOs polled believe that health systems are being pushed to the brink by having too much change forced on them at one time. Some respondents are concerned that patients will be lost in the shuffle, while others worry about the ability to align incentives to qualify for Meaningful Use and participate in ACOs. On the other hand, others feel that change can be conquered if leaders are willing to step up.  Survey results.  More

EHR Tool Helps Improve Blood Sugar Control for Patients With Diabetes

At an American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists meeting last week, researchers presented a study finding that electronic health record-based insulin order sets helped improve glycemic control among hospitalized patients with diabetes. MedPage Today, FierceEMR.

VA found security workaround for iPhones, iPads

MobileHealthNews: The VA’s assistant inspector general for audits and evaluations, states. Halliday says that the 256-bit hardware encryption resident in Apple mobile devices “further minimized the risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data” while federal officials test the Apple technology for FIPS 140-2 compliance.  More

AHRQ Toolsets Available to Help Pharmacists and Clinicians Implement E-Prescribing

Two toolsets, one for small practices and one for independent pharmacies, for supporting e-prescribing implementation are now available from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The toolsets are designed to offer a step-by-step guide for preparing for and launching an e-prescribing system. They include advice on topics ranging from planning the implementation process, launching the system, troubleshooting common problems, and navigating into more advanced practice and pharmacy services. Find both toolsets and supporting tools at http://healthit.ahrq.gov/eprescribingtoolsets.

AHRQ Research Activities about HIT

Health Information Technology

Clinicians find triggers and algorithms in e-prescribing software helpful in avoiding inappropriate medications in older adults
Paper previsit reminders for doctors do not add value to electronic reminders from an electronic health record system
Clinical decision support systems are effective but research is needed to promote widespread use

Words to avoid online

The Department of Homeland Security has released a list of social media keywords it tracks. These range from "hacker" and "terrorism" to "exercise" and "bridge." Many government agencies track what you do online. Find out whether you need to worry about the NSA's new data center. 

FCC gives green light to wireless medical devices

The Federal Communications Commission voted May 24, 2012 to set aside protected broadband spectrum for wireless medical devices known as medical body area networks (MBANs). These sensors can monitor and read a patient’s vital signs wirelessly. By eliminating the cables that restrict a patient to their hospital bed, experts say the devices could transform the way patients' health is monitored.  More

Appropriate Use of Social Media in Health Care

Social Media in Healthcare Infographic:  This is the best visual and statistical representation of the emerging demand / need for social media compliance I have seen.  These tools are evolving from "nice to have" to "must have" for companies who want to preserve their online reputations.  More

HealthInfoLaw.org

New Resource Offers Up-to-Date Information on Health Information Law
Those in the fields of law, health care, consumer protection, information technology, public health, and insurance now have a single destination for up-to-date information on health information law and changes in the legal and policy landscapes that affect its implementation.

Researchers at Legal Barriers, a project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, have developed HealthInfoLaw.org—a website designed to serve as a practical, online resource regarding laws governing access, use, release, and publication of health information.

The site addresses the legal issues that arise as health information moves fully into an electronic phase, as well as how the revolution in how health information is created, collected, and exchanged affects classic legal issues such as privacy, confidentiality, and liability for the quality and safety of health care. 

HealthInfoLaw.org is an especially useful resource for those involved in regional quality improvement collaboratives, as it enables users to see and understand the ways in which state law intersects with federal requirements and programs.

• Visit HealthInfoLaw.org.
• Read the press release.

Dictation Linked With Worse Care Than Other EHR Input Methods

Dictating notes to be uploaded to electronic health record systems is associated with "significantly worse" care quality than two other documentation methods, according to a new according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, NextGov reports (Pulley, NextGov, 5/23).

Caregivers Turning to Online Communities for Guidance, Support

Caregivers are making greater use of online communities to seek out health information and social support. Certain websites allow family members to track medical information, while others connect users with a larger community of caregivers. New York Times' "The New Old Age." 

"The New Old Age." Data from the Pew Internet Project show that adults ages 50 to 64 -- prime candidates for caregiving -- increased their use of social networking websites by 454% between 2008 and 2012.  More

Mobile is improving care even if many hospitals aren’t

“If you have access to information, you can save a life. You can make better decisions,” Dr. Antonio Marttos Jr., director of teletrauma at the University of Miami’s William Lehman Injury Research Center, said during the event, which was webcast live. Mobile devices are sparking a “cultural change,” Marttos added, something physicians are slowly starting to understand.  More

Outbreak at Watersedge- A Public Health discovery game.

The site is an interactive game.The game shows a variety of people involved in halting an outbreak and only the intern can save them! The players receive case files, maps, visit locations, take samples and draw conclusions. Players not only try to solve the case, but learn about public health careers.A teachers guide and related links are included.

Key words: Public Health, Epidemiology,case study, health sciences careers.

To view a video of the award winning author, go to  http://www.mclph.umn.edu/watersedge/

Doctors warned to avoid social media

Medical students and new doctors are being told not to sign up for Facebook and other social sites. Industry experts find that it's too easy to accidentally break doctor-patient confidentiality.  More

Remote monitoring of loved ones

Worried about a homebound parent or other loved one while you're out? Learn the best way to monitor them when you're away.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE >>

Health Information Technology Extension Program

The HITECH Act authorizes a Health Information Technology Extension Program. The extension program consists of Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers (RECs) and a national Health Information Technology Research Center (HITRC).
 
What are  HITRC and Regional Extension Centers (RECs)?

The HITRC will gather information on effective practices and help the RECs work with one another and with relevant stakeholders to identify and share best practices in EHR adoption, meaningful use, and provider support...  More

Taking the hassle out of healthcare – a visual guide to the information strategy

This visual guide to the information strategy demonstrates how people will benefit from having better access to health and care information.  Click here

SafePatientProject.org

As Congress reauthorizes the statute governing medical devices this year, it has the opportunity to close a dangerous loophole in the law that puts patients at risk of serious harm. Click here to learn more about this issue and how you can take action: http://safepatientproject.org/ Safe Patient Project | End secrecy, save lives. 

HHS Launches Website To Track Data on U.S. Health Care Trends

HHS launched an online tool called the Health System Measurement Project to help health care professionals, policymakers and the public track U.S. health care trends. The website provides data on access to care, disease prevention, health IT and other issues. In addition, users can view health indicators by certain demographic characteristics. 

In addition, users can view health indicators sorted by various population characteristics, including:

• Age;
• Gender;
• Geography;
• Income level; and
• Insurance coverage (Mosquera, Government Health IT, 5/15). More

Mayo Clinic’s first free patient app offers medical record access

The Mayo Clinic offered up its first free mobile app for patients this week, according to a report over at MedCity News. While Mayo has more than a dozen apps in Apple’s AppStore for both the iPhone and the iPad, MedCity points out that none of those were free patient-facing apps — until now.

The app, called Patient, went live 5/14/2012 and is free to download for anyone, but the real meat of it is only accessible by patients who have a Mayo Clinic patient online services account number. More

VA Outlines Privacy, Security Policies for Lifetime EHR System

The Department of Veterans Affairs has released a plan to ensure the privacy and security of data in its Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record program. The plan recommends various policies, such as regulating data access with security software. Government Health IT et al.

Mobile Education: The Pros, the Cons, and the Unanswered Questions

Distance education technologies and the move to mobile devices has pros and cons, and incorporating these devices should be a decision made to support pedagogy, not simply to use a technology because of the coolness factor or the ubiquity of the device.Read more

Health Information Technology and Home Health Care

AHRQ:  As the population ages and medical practices change, more people are taking care of themselves at home. A study funded by AHRQ looked at ways health information technology could be used to help people “age in place.”  For the podcast or transcript, go to: Healthcare 411 on Home-based Technology.

Meeting HITECH's Challenge to the Health Care Industry

Due to its complex infrastructure, the healthcare industry is sometimes late to the party when it comes to implementing proper security for their networks. However, with new tech standards for the healthcare industry, there's no time to delay. Check out this white paper to learn more about the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) and how you can comply. Read more

Exploring the Role of Mobile Technology as a Health Care Helper

nytimes.com  Mobile technology is changing the landscape of health care delivery across the developing world by giving people the ability to connect with doctors, nurses and other providers. Read more

Telemedicine's real threat to practices is better service

Telemedicine's real threat to practices is better service - FiercePracticeManagement fiercepracticemanagement.com

If retail health clinics represent a tough source of competition for traditional physician practices, online telemedicine providers may force offices to seriously step up their games in terms of Read more...

Telemonitoring Helps Patients Control Blood Pressure

iHealthBeat: A study presented at an American Heart Association meeting shows that patients who receive telemonitoring and blood pressure management support from a pharmacist are more likely to lower their blood pressure than those who do not receive the support. Healthcare IT News.

Funded Study Finds Patient Characteristics and Preferences Can Impact the Use of Patient Portals

Those who enroll and use a patient portal have different demographic characteristics and interest levels in selected portal functions (e.g., emailing providers, viewing medical record on-line, making appointments) than those who don’t use a patient portal, according to a new study funded by AHRQ.   The study examines differences among primary care patients’ perceptions when contemplating using, enrolling to use, and experiences using a portal for healthcare purposes.  The article suggests that while many patients may indicate a “hypothetical” interest in using such a portal, those who actually enroll and use portals may represent a unique subgroup of a practice’s or health system’s population. The article also suggests that patients initially perceive only limited improvements in care because of the portal.  These differences have potential market implications, and can provide insight into how practices select and maintain portal functions of greater interest to patients using the portal. The study, “Consistency of Patient Preferences about a Secure Internet-based Patient Communications Portal: Contemplating, Enrolling, and Using,” was published in the April 18, 2012 edition of Journal of Medical Quality. Select to read the article.

Telehealth Technology Takes Center Stage at ATA

Telehealth technology, which leverages wireless and enterprise networking, is changing the model of how we think about going to the doctor. It can help patients avoid traveling long distances to hospitals and clinics, particularly when they reside in remote or rural areas. The technology can also reduce overcrowding in hospitals...More

ONC Issues Guide on Protecting Privacy, Security of Health Data

A new guide from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT's Office of the Chief Privacy Officer aims to help health care providers protect the privacy and security of patient data. The guide includes a 10-step plan on how health care providers can bolster their data privacy and security before attesting to meaningful use. Health Data Management, Healthcare IT News.More

ONC "Health IT" Dashboard Now Available

May 9, 2012

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announces the launch of the Health IT Dashboard (available at http://dashboard.healthit.gov) today. The Health IT Dashboard has been established to present key information about the strategy of ONC, its health care innovation grants programs, and available research data tracking the nationwide adoption of health care IT.

"The release of the Health IT Dashboard is a significant milestone and we are glad to welcome the website as a tool for delivering key data to ONC's stakeholders and the interested public." said Victor Lazzaro, ONC's Performance Officer and Director for the Health IT Dashboard projects. The Dashboard uses an interactive package of technologies that allow ONC stakeholders to map, chart, and access the agency’s data.

Currently, the Health IT Dashboard has summary of information about all ONC grant programs, and detailed presentations of performance data for the Health IT Regional Extension Centers and Community College Consortia to Educate Health IT Professionals programs.

Recently upgraded, the Health IT Dashboard now includes over 150 maps presenting ONC data at State, County, and Grantee geographic boundaries. Coming to the site later in June, ONC researchers and the ONC State Health Information Exchange Program will publish an electronic health record (EHR) and health information exchange (HIE) dashboard including more state-level maps, charts, and data sets that describe trends in physician and hospital utilization of health IT.

Select the Image or Link Below to Access the Health IT Dashboard:

 

http://dashboard.healthit.gov

What Are Consumers' Top Concerns About Sharing Health Information via Social Media?

When asked about their top concerns about using social media to share health information, 63% of U.S. consumers cited their health data being shared publicly and 57% cited their health data being hacked or leaked, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers' Health Research Institute survey.See more

VA to equip 1,000 family caregivers with iPads

The Veterans Affairs Department (VA) expects to equip 1,000 family caregivers with Apple iPads loaded with health apps to help these primary caregivers to better take care of veterans at home, according to a NextGov report.

“The EHR app is really powerful. It is reported to be a significant time saver, and I would use the phrase morale improver, but primarily it makes it clear that we’re using the latest technology at the VA again and not just older technology,” the VA’s CIO Roger Baker said in a teleconference with reporters last week. See more

Health IT is national, but mobile health is global

... mobile health IT is different. Like pharmaceutical, medical equipment and devices technology industries, m-health and telemedicine appear to be pretty much the same worldwide (even if regulations do differ from country to country). See more

HIT Training Curriculum Available to Public

Five universities in April 2010 received a total of $10 million in federal grants from the HITECH Act to develop curriculum for health information technology training programs at a network of community colleges nationwide.  See more

Consumer Groups: Set a Higher Bar for Stage 2

Twenty-one consumer organizations are urging federal officials not to just stand firm on proposed criteria for Stage 2 electronic health records meaningful use criteria, but to go further in a final rule. See more

Doctor ‘visit’ via Skype: a trend?

05/07/12 © Kaiser Health News

Some insurers and patients welcome the chance to get minor ills taken care of by a virtual doctor visit. Here's a video of a Miami Beach internist who offers the service.

Mainstreaming Telemedicine

Healthcare Informatics: What needs to happen to make the eVisit for everyone? By Jennifer Prestigiacomo 
 See More

The Growing Power of Social Media in Healthcare

Healthcare Informatics: As more patients use social media to engage, providers would be wise to use it effectively
By Gabriel Perna  See more

Informatics & the Future of Nursing Practice

Advance for Nurses: From meaningful use to accountable care, healthcare trends are transforming nurses' roles, responsibilities and career trajectories. Key to being part of this change is nursing informatics.See more

Apple Store now sells Sanofi’s iPhone glucose meter

Apple now has Withings’ WiFi-enabled scale, iHealth’s iOS Blood Pressure Monitor dock and more. This week Cupertino’s retail stores have begun selling Sanofi’s iBGStar device, the first FDA cleared iPhone-enabled blood glucose meter.See more

Power of the Patient Portal

Here’s a glimpse of the features offered by health systems and group practices with advanced patient portals. Nuts and bolts transactions like these go a long way to building patient loyalty—and help improve practice efficiency to boot.  See slideshow

Discount Drug Programs - Consumer Reports

Ways to assist your clients to save on prescription drug costs- Consumer Reports has information to help you find more affordable prescription drugs. Click here

Results from a large mHealth chronic disease program in rural italy

www.imedicalapps.com  Managing chronic disease in rural areas is a challenge for all countries. Increased travel time and costs to reach health providers potentially decrease access and can negatively impact health status. Telemedicine offers one solution to this ongoing challenge by reducing the effect of distance.  See more