Quality and Safety

Does anyone remember the Clapper? Y'know: "Clap on! (clap, clap) Clap Off! (clap, clap)." Our columnist points out that some electronic health records, unfortunately, have more in common with that old technology than one might think.

Two Geisinger researchers, leading a large team of investigators, have been awarded more than $3.5 million as part of a national effort to better understand the genetic basis of disease. The research is aimed at tailoring medical based on patients' genetic makeup.

Still basking in the glow of its recent $4.3 billion Department of Defense contract win, Cerner showed this week that smaller and midsize EHR projects also continue to be part of the company's repertoire.

The money will fund projects that focus on improving care in vulnerable populations.

Voalte, a provider of healthcare communication technology, has a $17 million cash infusion from three big investment firms.

National Quality Forum CEO Christine Cassel outlines a "path forward" for healthcare quality measurement in a commentary published Sept. 1 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The FDA has cleared a digital stethoscope designed by medical devices startup Eko Devices. Company founders call it "a next-generation" stethoscope -- the only one on the market to wirelessly stream heart sounds to a HIPAA-compliant smartphone app.

Fifty hospital and health system members of Premier across 24 states are testing, defining and scaling new strategies in a nationwide effort to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

As demand outstrips supply when it comes to IT talent, particularly in healthcare, it seems that those oft-maligned Millennials are eager to help -- even if it means a move. And they're not in it for the money. (Well, not only the money.)

A health system based in Kentucky has added security muscle targeted at its network-connected medical devices by rolling out technology that monitors the devices for cyber vulnerabilities.