Blog

EHR redux

 February 08, 2010 David Kibbe
It's time to revive the discussion of electronic health record software in light of the new federal regulations that define criteria for meaningful use and also set criteria for the EHR technologies that must be implemented by doctors and hospitals in order for them to become, and be paid for being, "meaningful users of certified EHR technology." MORE
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Updates on meaningful use, certified EHR technology and the stimulus bill

 February 04, 2010 Chris Thorman
In this table, we've combined the meaningful use objectives for both eligible professionals and hospitals for the Stage 1 adoption year, the required EHR technology criteria to accomplish those objectives and what criteria the government will use to measure meaningful use. MORE
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IBM strengthens healthcare play, picks up Initiate

 February 04, 2010 John Moore
On Feb. 3, IBM announced that it will acquire leading healthcare Master Data Management vendor Initiate for an undisclosed sum. The healthcare IT sector is white hot right now, so it is likely IBM paid a pretty penny for Initiate. MORE
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Blog: The top 10 barriers to EHR implementation

 February 02, 2010 John Halamka, MD
John Halamka, MD, CIO of Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center in Boston, asked his students at Harvard School of Public Health to develop these lists of barriers to EHR implementation within their organizations. MORE
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A real, hard number on ARRA funding for HIT

January 29, 2010 Neil Versel
The spending estimate for health IT provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act seems like a moving target. I guess that's the nature of estimates, anyway. MORE
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The iPad and healthcare

 January 29, 2010 John Halamka, MD
Several folks have asked - will the iPad revolutionize healthcare? The answer is Yes and No. MORE
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New physician adoption statistics

 January 28, 2010 David Blumenthal, MD
The CDC recently released its latest report on the adoption of electronic health records amongst office-based physicians from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. MORE
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BIDMC data marts

 January 26, 2010 John Halamka, MD
At BIDMC, our clinical systems are written in a hierarchical database called Cache - a very fast transactional system with great reliability and disaster recovery features. MORE
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Study may provide partial roadmap for nationwide information exchange

 January 20, 2010 Jeff Rowe
Last week's meeting of the HIT Policy Committee reportedly included extensive discussions concerning the future of the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN). MORE
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A history of our healthcare future

 January 20, 2010 John Halamka, MD
When Stage III of Meaningful Use is fully implemented in 2015, what will our healthcare system look like? Here's my future forward look at the changes in the provider, patient, payer, and researcher experience five years from now. MORE
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Public Comment Period Open

 January 19, 2010 David Blumenthal, MD
The Meaningful Use NPRM and the Initial Set of Standards and Certification Criteria IFR have now been published and are available for public comment. MORE
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Top Ten Predictions for Healthcare IT in 2010

 January 15, 2010 John Moore
There are plenty of top 10 predictions on any number of topics, but it is rare to find one focusing on healthcare IT, Chilmark Research's bailiwick. MORE
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A Do it Yourself Board Presentation on Meaningful Use

 January 14, 2010 John Halamka, MD
Just as I did with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, I've prepared a presentation that you can use for your Board and stakeholders to review the requirements of the Interim Final Rule and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Feel free to use it without attribution to me. MORE
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Meaningful use comments test the meaning of 'open government'

 January 13, 2010 Jeff Rowe
For the next few months, federal healthcare policymakers will have their hands full as they sort through the range of responses to the recently proposed standards for the "meaningful use" of healthcare IT. MORE
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Meaningful Use of EHRs - are hospitals ready?

 January 12, 2010 Robert Rowley, MD
Ever since the release of the proposed final definition of Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records, as well as specifications for what constitutes a Certified EHR, we have been blogging about how this impacts physician practices who are interested in qualifying for incentive payments beginning in 2011. MORE
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Early feedback on the IFR and NPRM

 January 11, 2010 John Halamka, MD
I've received hundreds of emails of from colleagues, friends, and staff about the IFR and the NPRM. Many really like what they see. ONC and HHS are to be congratulated. MORE
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Looking to antennas for healthcare M2M gains

 January 08, 2010 John Farrell
An Irish company with offices in the U.S., Taiwan, Mexico and South Africa has rolled out what's being touted as the first flexible circuit loop antenna, which promises over 40 percent efficiency in healthcare monitoring devices. MORE
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Privacy & Security of Personal Health Information

 January 07, 2010 John Moore
On Saturday, Jan. 10th, I’ll be moderating a panel at the Consumer Electronics Show’s (CES) Digital Health Summit. The distinguished panel that includes executives from Dossia, Kaiser-Permenante, Microsoft and Walgreens will address the topic: Who Will you Trust with Your Health Data? MORE
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ONC's Tour-de Force on EHR Certification

 January 06, 2010 Glenn Laffel
Last week, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) released criteria that will be used to certify EHRs as appropriate support tools for providers who want to qualify for Bonanza Days. MORE
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Mixed reactions on meaningful use expected, but should the criteria be a destination point or a starting point?

 January 06, 2010 Patty Enrado
It's not a surprise that there would be supporters and detractors of the proposed meaningful use requirements. With heavyweights making noise, however, you have to sit up straight and listen. MORE
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