Patty Enrado

The Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) set of standards, services and policies have been evolving through the years. In addition to funding statewide health information exchanges (HIEs), the federal government is touting connectivity using the NHIN.

Next to David Blumenthal, MD, head of the Office of the National Coordinator, John Halamka, MD, is arguably the most influential mover and shaker in health IT in the U.S. today.

Mount Auburn Hospital, a 200-bed Harvard teaching hospital in Cambridge, Mass., successfully implemented a computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system.

Get ready for another day of demonstrations and information gathering in the Exhibit Hall.

In her opening keynote Wednesday morning at 9:00-10:00 AM CST, "Achieving and Measuring Meaningful Use: A View from the Field," Judith Murphy, RN, vice president of IT, will discuss how Aurora Health Care is working to achieve its goal for meaningful use.

Check out the education sessions for Days 1 and 2 of the HIMSS Virtual Conference & Expo.

The required upfront cost, IT support and initial workflow slowdown associated with the implementation of EMRs have had a greater impact on small physician practices than on larger physician groups.

Get ready to check out the latest health IT products and services in a relaxed environment. Explore the Exhibit Hall of the HIMSS Virtual Conference & Expo in a comfortable chair.

The opt-out consent model is the "overwhelming choice for HIEs in the nation," according to Anna Daly, HIE coordinator for Informatics Corp. of America.

Welcome to the November HIMSS Virtual Conference & Expo. With the deadline for meeting Meaningful Use Stage 1 criteria coming up in 2011, it's timely and fitting that the educational program focus on "Improving Health and Healthcare Through Meaningful Use of Health IT."