Health Information Exchange (HIE)
The overarching message delivered to joint HIT Policy and Standards Committees by the JASON task force on Oct. 15: The government should "act with urgency" to encourage and motivate the healthcare industry, using whatever mechanisms available, to fuel interoperability through meaningful use.
The Federal Trade Commission has some news for health IT vendors whose zeal for competitive marketshare outweighs their willingness to share data: They're watching, and will step in where necessary.
ONC chief Karen DeSalvo, MD, promised an audience of AHIMA members that the government would act "fast into interoperability." She drew applause when she added, "We cannot wait for 10 years to get this done."
Thirteen of the nation's major healthcare systems are one step closer to interoperability, after they are now able to electronically share health records with disparate EHRs upon signing on to the country's largest health information network.
Most accountable care organizations have health information technology in place to improve quality and lower costs, but many say difficulties with data exchange are keeping them from reaching their potential.
The 86th AHIMA Convention & Exhibit, Sept. 27-Oct. 2 in San Diego, promises to offer its biggest technology splash yet. IT will be featured in ways big and small throughout the event.
Texas Health is hardly the only hospital or health network that struggles to convince the CEO, CFO or other board members just how critical funding security initiatives and technologies really is, but it did use a unique approach to get their attention.
You might say the CIO and IT team at Harrisburg Medical Center are hands on. When it came to tackling the toughest piece of meaningful use Stage 2, they added a staff member to connect with patients at home.
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has appointed Lana Moriarty to be the new head of its Consumer eHealth division.
After it was reported that U.S. Chief Technology Officer Todd Park was leaving his post, immediate speculation was that a Googler and a Twitter attorney were in the running to succeed him. Turns out: President Obama hired both.