Selecting the correct software to use in a medical practice is critical for physicians, particularly now that all technology-based practices must be compliant with the government's updated standard for electronic claims transactions. The new standard, known as HIPAA Version 5010, will be required by January 1, 2012. The American Medical Association (AMA) and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) have made the software selection process easier by developing an online directory of software vendors that helps physicians determine whether the vendors’ practice management systems are compliant with the 5010 standard. A companion piece to the recently released Selecting a Practice Management System toolkit, the Practice Management System Software Directory provides detailed vendor profiles, enabling physicians to easily choose the software that best fits their needs.

CDW LLC (CDW), a leading provider of technology solutions to business, government, education and healthcare, today released the findings of its Video Conferencing Straw Poll Report. The report finds that half of companies use some form of video conferencing today and another quarter plan to implement the technology within the next two years. Video conferencing adoption, driven by reduced operating costs, improved decision making and improved communication, will branch out beyond simple peer-to-peer devices into more cutting-edge collaborative video conferencing systems, such as immersive telepresence.