Molly Merrill
With telephone services down, social media messaging has played a significant role in communicating to the public during and after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11.
Hospital executives and patients agree that healthcare needs a revamp, and they're looking to information technology to make that happen, according to a recent survey. But when it comes to their technology desires and concerns there are some differences.
Apple introduced the iPad 2 on Tuesday with a special event that included a video highlighting the technology's use in different fields, with an appearance by John Halamka, MD, chief information officer of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
IBM unveiled its new patient portal on Thursday, one designed to boost patients' involvement in their care and expand the types of information, alerts, recommendations and interactive coaching that providers can offer their patients online.
Use of computerized physician order entry systems (CPOE) is one key factor to providing superior clinical quality, CEOs at HealthGrades 50 Best Hospitals for 2011 reported.
Surescripts, the American Hospital Association and the College of American Pathologists have been awarded a $4.9 million grant to launch a program to prepare hospitals to submit electronic data on reportable lab results to public health agencies - a Stage 1 requirement for meeting meaningful use incentives.
Meeting meaningful use is taking precedence in health IT budgets for 2011, according to hospital executives polled in a recent survey.
There are many eligible candidates who come to mind when thinking about who could fill the shoes of David Blumenthal, MD, national coordinator for health information technology. Experts cite meaningful use and electronic health record implementation experience as important criteria, but one consultant puts particular emphasis on finding a new leader who possesses a care team approach to health IT.
The Health Information Trust Alliance has designated PricewaterhouseCoopers US as a Common Security Framework Assessor, qualified to evaluate and certify security standards of CSF-related services.
Miramont Family Medicine in Fort Collins, Colo., is crediting its recognition as a HIMSS Davies Award winner to its participation in a slew of IT projects at both state and national levels.