Anthony Vecchione

Two waves of activity are driving remote monitoring tools forward: Providers that want to expand their reach and patients tracking their own data.

Since computerized physician order entry was introduced as a vital part of their technology armamentarium, physicians have argued that, in order for CPOE to be effective, support and guidance are essential.

Increased adoption of electronic health records is helping pharmacists who work for payers and pharmacy benefit management companies improve outcomes, thanks to access to high-quality clinical data.

Reggio Emilia Hospital was faced with a challenge. Although the 900-bed acute care hospital has a picture archiving and communication system, electronic health record and computerized physician order entry, it needed a final element: an integrated clinical image repository and distribution system.

Meridian Health and Hackensack University Health Network announced merger plans on Oct. 16; if the deal clears regulatory hurdles it would result in New Jersey's largest hospital network. In the meantime, it's offering the chief information officers of each organization plenty to think about.

Just a few years ago, discussion of the use of radio-frequency identification in healthcare was usually limited to drug manufacturers and wholesalers. But more and more hospitals are using RFID technology to improve safety and efficiency.

The challenge for the Carolinas Healthcare System was to reduce the readmission rate for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The solution: predictive analytics.

A restrictive new rule change from the Drug Enforcement Administration, making it more difficult for physicians to prescribe opioids, will necessitate some changes to e-prescribing products and practices.

The recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa has raised public awareness about the risks of healthcare associated infections, as U.S. healthcare workers in Africa acquired Ebola while working in a healthcare setting. Here in the U.S., data mining technology is a valuable weapon for combating HAIs.

There is ample evidence that barcode technology for medication has had a significant impact on patient safety. But while most U.S. hospitals have adopted barcode medication administration, experts say there's big room for improvement.