Most Clicked eHealth SmartBrief Stories
1. PHRs still not widely used -- by patients or providers
eHealth SmartBrief | Sep 03, 2008
About 64% of survey respondents said they did not know what a personal health record was, and of those who did, a mere 11% are using one, according to a July 2007 survey by the Financial Planning Association and Aetna. Patients have the ability to access and add information to their own medical records now, but many don't and providers are sometimes reluctant to rely solely on information provided by patients. The medical industry is a "highly litigious business and we're also in a business where bad information can mean severe consequences, so we remain cautious," said Dr. Robert J. Jackson of Western Wayne Physicians. MLive.com (Mich.) (free registration) (09/03)
2. Cerner to expand into additional HIT areas
eHealth SmartBrief | Sep 03, 2008
Missouri-based Cerner intends to spend about $1 billion over the next few years to enter HIT markets in addition to its current clinical and financial software. It wants to provide data-warehouse, data-mining and analytics software to support research and clinical trials as well as "onsite, I.T.-laden employer clinics" for large employers and improved interoperability for devices and other hardware. Health Data Management (09/01)
3. Small telemedicine device targets those with chronic conditions
eHealth SmartBrief | Sep 03, 2008
A new telemedicine device has received FDA approval. A touch-screen computer complete with camera will allow patients with chronic diseases to video conference with their doctors and to attach blood pressure machines, glucose meters or pulse oximeters to send readings or store them on the computer. It also can deal with patient/doctor e-mail and can come with educational content. Health Data Management (09/01)
4. Hospitals upgrade software to deal with Medicare billing crackdown
eHealth SmartBrief | Sep 03, 2008
Many hospitals have installed or will install new software to better capture coding, billing and correct documentation in an effort to improve the accuracy of their Medicare claims as they prepare for increased Medicare billing scrutiny. CMS plans to roll out its Recovery Audit Contractor program nationally as early as this fall to catch inaccurate Medicare billing. Healthcare IT News (09/02)
5. Hospitals invest in RFID at "explosive" rate
eHealth SmartBrief | Sep 05, 2008
The use of RFID technology is exploding in hospital facilities with more than 300 beds as a way to contain costs, track assets and patients, and improve patient care, according to a study by California-based Spyglass Consulting Group. The study also found that cost, questions about return on investment and the lack of interoperability with some devices still present a barrier for some groups. Medical Device Link/Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry (09/01)
6. BCBS of Massachusetts to offer three PHR options
eHealth SmartBrief | Sep 03, 2008
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, part of a growing number of payors hoping to control costs and improve quality through PHRs, knows there are various types, so they're piloting the use of three -- their own My Blue Health in concert with WebMD, Google Health and an employer-sponsored one. "The PHR is a great way to have the member build closer ties to their doctor through better understanding of their treatments," says a BCBS vice president. "Consumers are going to take control of their own health care information. We have to be ready to be a trusted resource for them." Health Data Management (09/01)
7. Gather and organize your medical records
eHealth SmartBrief | Sep 05, 2008
Here's a step-by-step way to collect your medical data and manage your own records from the medical contributor for ABC News. Dr. Marie Savard suggests gathering records from your family doctor, specialists, labs and hospitals. Then, arrange them all in reverse chronological order and put them in a three ring-binder that's easily accessible. ABC News (09/03)
8. Investment bank presents possible opportunities for HIT players
eHealth SmartBrief | Sep 05, 2008
Major players in the health information technology arena looking for new opportunities are attending a conference sponsored by Thomas Weisel Partners, an investment bank. Presentations will focus on "biotechnology, diagnostics, pharmaceutical services, life science technology, medical devices and specialty pharmaceuticals." Healthcare IT News (09/03)
9. Health 2.0 a hit for some, raises privacy issues for others
eHealth SmartBrief | Sep 03, 2008
Health 2.0 is a big deal and insurers, associations and consumers are all climbing on board -- even though the return on investment isn't yet clear. However, privacy laws restrict what physicians can say on social networking sites -- and thus, they can't respond to unfavorable comments from patients. "Everyone is struggling with health privacy issues while moving into this space," according to a business-development manager at a marketing firm. American City Business Journals (08/29)
10. National HIT adoption suffers from interoperability issues
eHealth SmartBrief | Sep 03, 2008
There are many groups whose focus falls under the umbrella of health care information technology. However, since not all of them connect with each other, true national health IT will remain a challenge, according to Robin Thomashauer, executive director of CAQH, a nonprofit alliance of health plans and trade associations. "Interoperability, more efficient systems, streamlined administration, faster communication and the better quality of care that they make possible will be the reward for our collaboration," Thomashauer writes in Health Data Management. Health Data Management (09/01)
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