Mike Miliard
As more than 2 million people enroll in health plans through HealthCare.gov, congressional Republicans have a new strategy to chip away at Obamacare: Put the focus on the website's security vulnerabilities.
So much has changed in just the past few years when it comes to analytics in healthcare -- to say nothing of the huge leap from where we were a decade ago. But there's still plenty of catching up to do, compared to how other industries use data.
In an eventful 10 years for healthcare, meaningful use made an unmistakable mark as vendors large and small took advantage of an unprecedented opportunity. As one observer puts it: "Obama's stimulus was the catalyst that lit this industry up five years ago. We haven't looked back since."
An unencrypted USB drive ended up costing one dermatology practice, which has settled with the Department of Health and Human Services for failing to address HITECH's breach notification provisions.
Physicians in the first subspecialty of clinical informatics, spearheaded by the American Medical Informatics Association, got their board certifications this month -- a pivotal moment in healthcare's "systemic overhaul," according to AMIA.
HIMSS is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through HHS' Innovator in Residence program, to develop a strategy for nationwide patient data matching.
Seeking ways in which IT can enable more coordinated care outside traditional settings, the Gary and Mary West Health Institute is launching a five-year study to explore new technologies and new approaches to chronic disease management.
"I'm surprised that we continue to see the status quo in revenue cycle management," says Sean Wieland, managing director and senior research analyst at Piper Jaffray, adding that, "If any other industry had a revenue cycle like that, we'd all be living like the Amish."
Eleven hospitals have received the 2013 Hospital Website Transparency Award, which is given by URAC and The Leapfrog Group to recognize organizations that embrace quality measures.
Mac McMillan, CEO of CynergisTek, talks about the HIPAA Omnibus rule, implications of its enforcement, and Business Associate Agreements at the 2013 Privacy and Security Forum.