Workforce

An idea proposed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would move its chief information security officer up to the same level as its chief information officer, ideally to the entire agency's benefit. The tactic might also make sense in the private sector.

Texas Health Resources has appointed Joey Sudomir as senior vice president, innovative technology solutions and chief information officer.

How a health network eliminated noisy alerts and, in turn, improved response times and patient consults, updated its EHR more frequently, and reduced length-of-stay.

Many organizations do a decent job of limiting access to data and systems for their general user population. When it comes to privileged access, however, most simply attempt to limit who has this type of access without considering some inherent risks.

Electronic health records are altering nearly every aspect of the caregiver-patient relationship -- not to mention changing caregivers' workflows with omnipresent tablets, handhelds, wall mounts and mobile carts. Today, nurses are on the front lines of this transformation.

If you think your hospital IT department is one of the best in the U.S., nominate it for Healthcare IT News' 5th Annual BEST Hospital IT Departments program.

"Both Epic and athena are justifiably proud of their products and their people, and both defend their worldview with great passion and (particularly in athena's case) no shortage of hyperbole. Did I really need to choose sides?"

John Muir Health in Walnut Creek, Calif., has hired Thomas August as its new chief information security officer.

The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada (also known as "SickKids") has appointed Sarah Muttitt, MD, to the position of chief information officer, effective July 2015.

Just 60 percent of hospitals reporting to the Leapfrog Hospital Survey complied with all 21 the National Quality Forum endorsed safe practices on nursing workforce, according to a report published this week.