Erin McCann

"Know thy health record" may seem a far cry from Socrates’ ancient Greek aphorism, "Know thyself," but the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) hopes its new "What's in Your Health Record??" video contest will bring patients some of the same good old-fashioned enlightenment.

The patient liberation movement is imminent. Weary from being tangled and tethered to hospital beds by medical wires, patients are ready for a new tide of patient care.

Life is one constant assessment. Analyzing one’s performance in a given category, these assessments can offer quantifiable feedback as to what one can improve upon. A “C” in math? Hold the video games; take the tutor. Four divorces? Perhaps it really is “it’s not you; it’s me.”

Amidst an epoch of rising medical costs and heightened scrutiny towards excess healthcare spending, the U.S. government has responded by encouraging healthcare providers to tighten those proverbial belts while also improving upon the quality of patient care.

A new accountable care network (ACN) is in town. Putting health information technology to work, the network – organized by the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative (PRHI) – aims to reduce hospital readmissions and improve quality of care for chronically ill patients.

With the highest mortality rate in healthcare and costing hospitals an estimated $180 billion each year, intensive care units (ICUs) are established regulars in the health IT reform spotlight.

The Black Book report published on Thursday estimates that spending on health IT will triple, and quickly.