Population and Public Health
Embracing a long-term vision for nationwide health information technology that "puts the person at the center," the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has finalized its strategy for the next five years.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation surveys the state of a digitizing health system in a new report, taking stock of the meaningful use program's successes and limitations -- and forecasting emerging healthcare trends.
Timothy G. Ferris, MD, is senior vice president for population health management at Partners HealthCare, one of the top healthcare systems in the country, and one that is committed to making a difference on that front.
In health IT, the lingo is continuously evolving and stakeholders don't necessarily agree on a single definition for each term. Sometimes these new terms even just describe older concepts. Little wonder, our columnist writes, that providers sometimes feel in the dark.
The newest batch of health IT companies to join the CommonWell Health Alliance has brought the interoperability group's total membership to 33 -- quadruple the number as of this time last year.
Use of analytics by large hospitals and health systems is on the rise, and should continue to grow -- although "perhaps not as dramatically or rapidly" as some might hope, according to a new Deloitte survey of CIOs and CMIOs.
With the increasing adoption of data analytics, providers, health plans and ACOs are quickly transitioning toward a coordinated, integrated and value-based care delivery ecosystem. That's not always an easy task.
Kyra Bobinet, MD, says a doctor can look at all the vital signs, test results, images and assorted assorted other EMR data and still have no idea how to treat a patient. "That's not real life," she says. "That's not how to care for people."
In an unprecedented alliance between client and vendor, Boston-based Partners HealthCare and Salt Lake City-based Health Catalyst have agreed to share best practices, intellectual property, technology and training in an effort to take population health management to new heights.
Patient engagement just got a boost with GetWellNetwork's acquisition of San Diego-based Skylight Healthcare Systems. Both companies describe themselves as early pioneers in interactive patient care.