Most Clicked Health IT SmartBrief Stories
1. Report examines possible inclusions in Stage 2 MU proposal
Health IT SmartBrief | Feb 10, 2012
The proposed rule governing Stage 2 of the federal meaningful use program likely will require hospitals and doctors to create capabilities to connect with patients, coordinate care and electronically collect data for reporting on quality, according to a CSC report. The report proposes that providers begin setting up these processes using the necessary health IT tools. Government Health IT online (02/08)
2. Obama's proposed 2013 budget allots more funding for HIT efforts
Health IT SmartBrief | Feb 15, 2012
The Obama administration's budget proposal for fiscal 2013 includes $66 million for the ONC, up $5 million from this year. The funding would be used to support federal efforts to build a national health IT infrastructure. That includes expediting the implementation of EHRs and promoting meaningful use of the technology by providers. Government Health IT online (02/14)
3. CMS committed to re-examining ICD-10 timeline
Health IT SmartBrief | Feb 15, 2012
CMS might extend the Oct. 1, 2013, deadline for health care providers to implement the ICD-10 insurance coding system. "I'm committing today to work with you to re-examine the pace at which we implement ICD-10," CMS Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner told attendees at an American Medical Association conference. Hill, The (02/14) HealthLeaders Media (02/15)
4. Experts share 5 ways to see financial gains from EHRs
Health IT SmartBrief | Feb 10, 2012
Realizing a return on EHR investments takes five simple steps, say experts Heidi Jannenga and Paul Winandy. They include tailoring workflows to allow clinicians to see more patients, automating appointment alerts and increasing claims processing and staff productivity. Healthcare IT News (02/08)
5. ONC: Vendor selection is biggest MU barrier for REC providers
Health IT SmartBrief | Feb 13, 2012
The ONC has examined data from regional extension centers and found that vendor selection is the biggest obstacle facing enrolled providers in achieving meaningful use, accounting for 34% of all 4,100 barriers reported as of January. Even so, 26% of the providers said they remain on schedule to satisfy the MU requirements, according to the ONC review. Government Health IT online (02/10)
6. Report explores HIT infrastructure needed to support ACOs
Health IT SmartBrief | Feb 13, 2012
The eHealth Initiative has released a report outlining the 13 key IT attributes of accountable care organizations, including secure and HIPAA-compliant data maintenance and the ability to facilitate care coordination. The report also notes that the IT infrastructure of ACOs should support patient safety, quality management and financial accountability. Health Data Management (02/10)
7. How physician practices can make full use of EHRs
Health IT SmartBrief | Feb 13, 2012
More than half of physician practices have adopted EHRs, but most of them aren't optimizing their use of the technology, neglecting features such as electronic prescribing and appointment scheduling as well as patient portals, writes Paul Cerrato, citing an American Medical News report. Cerrato explains how practices can maximize their EHR investments, starting with setting up a patient portal. InformationWeek (02/10)
8. Telehealth helps VA unit shave $742K in costs
Health IT SmartBrief | Feb 10, 2012
The Department of Veterans Affairs' Northwest Health Network was able to cut its budget by $742,000 during fiscal 2011, thanks to its use of telehealth technology. The network, which uses videoconferencing and remote monitors to deliver care to VA patients, did 23,580 consultations remotely during that period. InformationWeek (02/08)
9. What the 2012 election could mean for health IT
Health IT SmartBrief | Feb 10, 2012
Federal health IT efforts have gained strong bipartisan support in recent years, more so than the Affordable Care Act, but as the 2012 election nears, the question of whether funding for these initiatives will continue emerges. National HIT Coordinator Dr. Farzad Mostashari expressed optimism, saying, "I see nothing to indicate that there's a real partisan or ideological drive to diminish or roll back the advances we have made on health IT." Healthcare IT News (02/06) Government Health IT online (02/06)
10. UnitedHealth's cloud computing allows fast health record sharing
Health IT SmartBrief | Feb 15, 2012
Optum, a unit of UnitedHealth Group, is releasing an innovative cloud-based platform that physicians can use to easily track patients and share confidential records with their colleagues. The Optum Care Suite automatically provides updates on patients' emergency room visits, as well as on hospitalized patients and those who fail to pick up medications. Huffington Post, The (02/14)
Sign up for Health IT SmartBrief
Latest Blog Postsview more
Book Review Connected: The Surprising Power of Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives
eHealth blog
Readers Write 2/15/12
HIStalk
HIStalk Interviews John Glaser, CEO Health Services Business, Siemens Healthcare
HIStalk
New technology for the 90-plus set
Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog