iHealthBeat: Patient Safety

Targeting EHR Workarounds

Mon, 25 Jan 2016 11:00:00 Z

Clinicians often resort to workarounds when using electronic health records to simplify or expedite certain tasks. Some of these EHR "shortcuts" pose serious patient safety risks, and health care organizations should address the growing practice.

FDA's Computer Database at Center of Drug Safety Issues, GAO Finds

Tue, 19 Jan 2016 14:39:00 Z

A new Government Accountability Office report finds that FDA has failed to address multiple gaps in its process for monitoring drug safety issues, including properly tracking potential safety issues in its computer database. The report also notes that FDA's computer system is cumbersome and does not allow for easy sorting. AP/Modern Healthcare, New York Times.

Missed Alarms, Health IT Setup on ECRI's List of Hospital Tech Risks

Tue, 10 Nov 2015 19:09:00 Z

The ECRI Institute's annual Top 10 Health Technology Hazards report includes several health IT issues that hospitals should pay attention to next year to reduce patient harm. The report states that missed alarms -- which previously held the top spot for four years -- continues to be a major concern. FierceHealthIT et al.

23andMe Launches New Health Tests, Navigates FDA Regulations

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 15:00:00 Z

After a two-year hiatus from providing consumers with health data, 23andMe announced a new $199 screening test that can predict whether a person will pass on certain conditions to their children. The company is still working to gain FDA approval for tests predicting individuals' likelihood of developing specific diseases and their response to various treatments. New York Times et al.

Microsoft, Johns Hopkins Seek To Boost ICU Device Communication

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:00:00 Z

Microsoft and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have announced a partnership to develop a cloud-based health IT system aimed at improving communication among medical devices in hospitals' intensive care units. The project aims to curb medical errors and preventable complications. FierceHealthIT et al.

NIST Releases New Guide To Boost EHR Usability, Safety

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 16:41:00 Z

In a guide released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, researchers note issues connected to electronic health records that can lead to suboptimal and unsafe patient care. The researchers outline recommendations for improving EHR usability and safety. Clinical Innovation & Technology et al.

Report Shares Strategies To Improve Use of Unique Device Identifiers

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 17:44:00 Z

A new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts outlines how the health care industry stands to benefit from unique device identifiers and the steps government agencies and the private sector must take to improve adoption and use. FierceHealthIT, Pew Charitable Trusts report.

IOM Calls for Better Use of Health IT To Reduce Diagnostic Errors

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 17:30:00 Z

The Institute of Medicine is calling for improved use of health IT to reduce diagnostic errors, which it says will affect nearly all U.S. residents at some point in their lives. For example, IOM suggests that the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT require vendors by 2018 to comply with interoperability standards. Health Data Management et al.

FDA Announces Patient Advisory Panel Focused on New Technologies

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 16:50:00 Z

FDA says it is accepting applications for its first-ever advisory committee that will review medical technologies and devices from a patient's perspective. Among other things, the committee will seek patients' perspectives on the benefits and risks of a technology or device and what tradeoffs are considered allowable. Modern Healthcare et al.

Stakeholders Cautiously Optimistic About Proposed Health IT Safety 'Collaboratory'

Mon, 14 Sep 2015 10:00:00 Z

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT's plan to create a health IT safety "Collaboratory" has been met with both optimism and concerns. Stakeholders say they support the shared-responsibility mentality to improve health IT safety, but they question how effective the Collaboratory will be given its lack of regulatory authority and concerns about funding.

Senate Mental Health Bill Would Relax Federal Privacy Rules

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 18:01:00 Z

A recently introduced Senate bill that aims to reform the behavioral health care delivery system would relax a federal law requiring prior consent before sharing paper and electronic health records for patients with substance misuse issues. Some observers say the privacy rule should be repealed entirely, while others say it should be balanced with added patient protections. Modern Healthcare.

Private Sector Takes on Patient IDs

Wed, 22 Jul 2015 17:45:00 Z

More than 15 years after Congress enacted a funding ban for a national patient identifier system, the private sector appears ready to take the lead on creating a viable solution. Stakeholders say such a system is key to addressing the nation's interoperability issues and improving patient safety.

Hospitals Grapple With How To Handle Providers' Use of Cellphones

Wed, 22 Jul 2015 16:52:00 Z

Hospitals are "playing catch-up" when it comes to regulating providers' use of mobile phones during surgery and care delivery. Proponents say cellphones can boost providers' communication and access to information, but others warn that mobile phones can lead to distractions and patient safety risks. The Atlantic.

ONC Releases Roadmap To Form National Health IT Safety Center

Mon, 20 Jul 2015 16:46:00 Z

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has released the Health IT Safety Center Roadmap, which calls for the creation of a national center to promote health IT safety. The center would work to foster collaboration and advance adverse event identification and reporting, among other goals. Healthcare Informatics et al.

CHIME Calls for Unique Patient Identifier System To Improve Safety

Mon, 06 Jul 2015 17:12:00 Z

In a letter to leaders of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives calls for the end of a congressional prohibition on the use of federal funds to develop a unique patient identifier system. Healthcare IT News et al.

Industry Seeing Gains in EHR Usability and Safety, but Challenges Remain

Tue, 30 Jun 2015 11:40:00 Z

Market consolidation among electronic health record vendors and recent action by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT have led to improvements in EHR safety and usability. But many experts say vendors still aren't incorporating user-centered design advances quickly enough.

FDA Takes Action Against Over 1,050 Illegal Rx Drug Websites

Fri, 19 Jun 2015 18:10:00 Z

FDA, in partnership with international law enforcement and regulatory agencies, has cracked down on more than 1,050 websites that illegally sell prescription drugs and medical devices. The actions included the seizure of illegal drugs and devices and warnings to operators of illegal prescription drug sites. Reuters, FDA release.

Researchers To Test Digital Pillbox To Improve Medication Adherence

Mon, 18 May 2015 17:05:00 Z

TowerView Health, Independence Blue Cross and Penn Medicine are preparing to launch a clinical trial to test a digital pillbox that uses sensors and cellular data to track patients' medication adherence and alert them to missed doses. However, some stakeholders question whether health IT can help to address the issue, noting past failures. Modern Healthcare.

AMA Says Potential SCOTUS Case Could Threaten Data Sharing

Wed, 29 Apr 2015 17:55:00 Z

The American Medical Association argues that a court case being appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court could threaten providers' confidentiality and liability protections under the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act. The act applies to information collected in databases by patient safety organizations. Politico's "Morning eHealth," AMA Wire.

ONC: Health IT Adoption, Use Has Improved Patient Safety

Wed, 29 Apr 2015 17:44:00 Z

Citing various studies, an Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT issue brief argues that increased health IT adoption has improved patient safety over the last 15 years. ONC officials in a blog post say the evidence suggests that well-designed health IT has done more good than harm. Health IT Analytics, "Health IT Buzz."

Industry Reaction Mixed to Joint Commission's Health IT Warning

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 17:55:00 Z

Some industry stakeholders have applauded the Joint Commission's recent sentinel event alert warning that health IT can pose risks to patients for helping to create a "baseline" for future studies. However, other stakeholders say the alert was too narrow in its analysis of sentinel alerts. Health Data Management.

Health IT Issues Top ECRI's List of Patient Safety Hazards

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:38:00 Z

A new ECRI Institute report finds alarm hazards and data integrity issues are among the top patient safety concerns for health care organizations this year. The report finds that most alarm-related adverse events stem from configuration issues and that the adoption of electronic health records has raised data integrity concerns. Modern Healthcare et al.

Report: CMS, ONC Must Address Hospitals' EHR Fraud Vulnerabilities

Fri, 20 Mar 2015 17:55:00 Z

A new HHS Office of Inspector General report finds that many hospitals are not using electronic health record systems appropriately to protect against fraud. The report recommends that CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT develop a plan to protect against such vulnerabilities. Health Data Management et al.

CHIME To Launch $1M National Patient ID System Challenge

Wed, 18 Mar 2015 17:46:00 Z

This summer, the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives will launch a challenge to help find a universal method for accurately matching patients with their health data. The challenge will award $1 million to the winning patient identification system. MedCity News et al.

Hospitals in Quality Initiative Not More Likely To Improve Safety

Thu, 19 Feb 2015 18:42:00 Z

A new study finds no indication that hospitals that reported information to a database as part of a national quality improvement initiative performed better in surgical safety and outcomes than non-participating hospitals. Health Data Management, Journal of the American Medical Association.

FDA Taking Steps To Improve Analysis of Adverse-Event Data

Tue, 03 Feb 2015 19:19:00 Z

FDA says it is taking steps to improve how it analyzes data on adverse events, including by implementing several data-mining initiatives and improving its Sentinel drug tracking system. The comments follow a study by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices finding flaws with such data submitted to FDA by drugmakers. New York Times.

Increased Standards Adoption, Better Data Flow Key to Boosting E-Rx Safety

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 12:00:00 Z

Electronic prescribing holds great promise in improving health care safety. However, experts say increasing adoption of existing e-prescribing standards, using consistent terminology and improving the flow of information are key to realizing significant patient safety gains.

Health Groups Make the Case for Unique Device Identifiers in EHRs

Fri, 23 Jan 2015 19:14:00 Z

In a letter sent this week to HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, 10 health care groups argued that language should be included in upcoming rules on the meaningful use and electronic health record certification programs that requires providers to include data on medical devices implanted in patients in EHRs. Healthcare IT News et al.

Alarm Hazards Top ECRI's List of 2015 Health Technology Risks

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 18:15:00 Z

Alarm issues have ranked as the top health technology hazard for 2015 on ECRI Institute's annual top-10 report. The authors recommend that facilities address alarm issues through staff training and by limiting the number of people who establish default settings. MedCity News et al.

Mining Pennsylvania Error Data Suggests Patient Safety Gains From Advanced EHRs

Tue, 11 Nov 2014 12:00:00 Z

A recent study that leveraged years of data collected by Pennsylvania's mandatory safety event reporting system finds that hospitals with more advanced electronic health record functionality saw greater improvements in patient safety.

Ebola Outbreak, CMS' Efforts Boosting Infection-Control Tech Use

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 17:44:00 Z

A Black Book survey finds that the recent Ebola outbreak and CMS' crackdown on health care-associated infections will make infection-control technology a "must have" in 2015. Meanwhile, an executive from 3M Health Information Systems argues that the Ebola outbreak demonstrates how transitioning to ICD-10 could improve public health leaders' response to global pandemics. FierceHealthIT, Health Data Management.

Hospitals Create Teams To Review New Tech, Prevent Patient Harm

Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:22:00 Z

Some hospitals are establishing teams to thoroughly investigate new technology in an effort to reduce the threat of patient harm. Research shows that health IT errors are common when new technologies, such as electronic health records, are introduced without properly analyzing how staff will interact with the devices. Modern Healthcare.

Audit Confirms Data Manipulation at VA; New VA Secretary Confirmed

Wed, 30 Jul 2014 17:58:00 Z

A USA Today analysis of a Department of Veterans Affairs audit shows at least one employee at 109 VA health clinics nationwide have manipulated veteran wait time data. The analysis comes the same week House and Senate negotiators reached a deal to address VA wait time issues and the Senate confirmed Robert McDonald as the new VA secretary. USA Today et al.

Researchers: Increased Online Chatter Could Jeopardize Clinical Trials

Wed, 30 Jul 2014 17:18:00 Z

Drugmakers and researchers are grappling with ways to preserve the integrity of clinical trials as more trial participants turn to Facebook groups, online forums and other social media outlets to share their experiences. Researchers say the information patients share online could cause participants to drop out of trials or misreport symptoms. Wall Street Journal.

Miss. AG Seeks Details on Google's Steps To Remove Illegal Drug Ads

Tue, 29 Jul 2014 15:59:00 Z

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood says he plans to issue a civil investigative demand against Google, requesting emails and other documents detailing the company's work on removing advertisements for illegal online pharmacies. Hood says Google has not done enough to address the issue and satisfy an investigation by several attorneys general. Bloomberg.

Va. Officials: Real-Time Psychiatric Bed Registry Seldom Updated

Thu, 24 Jul 2014 18:06:00 Z

Virginia officials say that an online registry created to provide real-time data on available psychiatric beds in the state currently is updated as infrequently as once per day. Further, officials are questioning whether real-time updating is attainable. Washington Post.

Study: Outdated Communication Tools Can Affect Patient Safety

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 17:00:00 Z

A new Frost & Sullivan study finds that a significant portion of the health care industry still uses old communications tools, which can have negative effects on patient safety and internal hospital operations. The authors recommend that providers adopt secure mobile communication methods. FierceMobileHealthcare, Frost & Sullivan study.

Lawmaker Continues To Question ONC's Health IT Regulatory Power

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 17:25:00 Z

A congressional lawmaker has criticized the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT's response regarding the office's authority to regulate health IT products. In a letter to House lawmakers, ONC says that a draft health IT regulatory framework "did not propose that the Health IT Safety Center would have the authority to regulate health IT." Modern Healthcare et al.

Hospital Associations Defend Health IT, Patient Safety Improvements

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 16:52:00 Z

U.S. hospital groups say that data collection and efforts to stem patient harm have improved in the past 15 years, despite claims by medical experts during a recent Senate subcommittee hearing that such improvements have not been made. Modern Healthcare.

Medical Experts Emphasize Role of Health IT in Patient Safety

Fri, 18 Jul 2014 18:11:00 Z

During a hearing yesterday of the Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging, medical experts said health IT tools, such as data tracking and patient monitoring tools, are key to reducing patient harm. The hearing was inspired by a recent report that found as many as 400,000 instances of patient deaths each year are associated with medical errors. Healthcare IT News et al.

Navigating the Intersection of Medical Devices, Health IT To Boost Patient Safety

Mon, 07 Jul 2014 11:00:00 Z

Improving interoperability between medical devices and health IT systems could lead to significant gains in patient safety. Although both private- and public-sector groups have launched efforts in this area, progress has been slow.

FDA Pilot Uses EHR, Claims Data To Track Product Safety

Tue, 24 Jun 2014 17:29:00 Z

FDA is working with large health organizations throughout the U.S. -- including Aetna, Humana and Kaiser Permanente -- on a pilot program, called Mini-Sentinel, that examines medical claims and electronic health record data to track the safety of FDA-regulated products. Health Data Management, "FDA Voice."

Johns Hopkins Medicine Testing Checklist App for Hospitals

Tue, 24 Jun 2014 17:20:00 Z

Johns Hopkins Medicine plans to study whether a new checklist application can help hospitals improve patient safety. The app works with electronic health record systems to automate checklists associated with seven potential patient safety harms. Modern Healthcare.

Lack of Clinician Input, Training Cited in Troubled EHR Rollout

Tue, 17 Jun 2014 17:57:00 Z

Officials from Athens Regional Medical Center and Cerner say that a lack of provider input and limited user training contributed to problems with the medical center's electronic health record system implementation. The hospital's CEO and CIO resigned last month after hospital staff voted 270-0 that they had "no confidence" in the hospital's administration. Athens Banner-Herald.

ONC Panel Discusses Challenges, Goals of Proposed Health IT Center

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 18:08:00 Z

A panel created by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT discusses the goals, structure and scope of a proposed Health IT Safety Center, which was outlined in a recently released Health IT regulatory draft framework. Among other things, the panel says the center should focus on addressing risks posed by health IT. Modern Healthcare.

Implantable Computer Chips Could Boost Care, but Concerns Remain

Tue, 27 May 2014 17:54:00 Z

As the size and cost of computer chip technology has decreased over the last several years, more companies and researchers are working to create ingestible or implantable chips that track patients' health. However, privacy, safety and legal concerns about such devices remain. Washington Post.

CDC: Lab Staff Essential To Ensure Efficacy of EHR Data

Tue, 20 May 2014 17:56:00 Z

A new CDC report finds that laboratory professionals are key to ensuring the accuracy and usability of electronic health record systems. The report recommends that lab staff focus on engagement, data integrity and usability, and innovation in order to avoid patient safety risks associated with EHR system use. Clinical Innovation & Technology et al.

Indiana Hospital Taps Health IT To Contain MERS Outbreak

Mon, 12 May 2014 17:35:00 Z

Community Hospital in Indiana relied on its electronic health record, video surveillance and real-time locating systems to contain the first outbreak of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome in the U.S. The hospital is working with CDC to develop a paper to share best practices about containing MERS. InformationWeek, MedPage Today.

E-Mail Communications Significantly Cut Hospital Superbug Rate

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 17:19:00 Z

A new study finds that weekly emails to executives at a hospital grappling with endemic rates of a superbug helped reduce rates of the infection by 63%. The emails included data on infection control and various initiatives designed to reduce overall infection rates. FierceHealthcare.

Feds Examine Claims of Improper EHR Use, Veteran Deaths in Ariz.

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 17:44:00 Z

The Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Inspector General has launched an investigation into claims that employees at a Phoenix-based VA center improperly used the facility's electronic health record system and created a secret electronic waiting list to hide appointment delays, which could have led to nearly 40 veteran deaths. EHR Intelligence et al.

Boston Children's Taps Data Analytics To Predict Patient Risks

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 18:04:00 Z

Boston Children's Hospital is testing a new tool -- that it created with startup Etiometry -- that analyzes data from various monitors to better predict changes in a patient's condition. Use of the Stability Index tool likely will be expanded both inside and outside the hospital. Boston Globe.

Health IT System Failures Top ECRI's List of Hospital Concerns

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 17:52:00 Z

Research firm ECRI Institute has identified data integrity failures with health IT systems as the top patient safety concern for hospitals this year. The group's report shows that such failures can be caused by data entry errors, copying and pasting information into patients' electronic health records and missing data. Modern Healthcare et al.

Study: Google Search Results Offer Mixed-Quality Health Information

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 17:40:00 Z

A study that examined the Google results of more than 2,000 health-related search terms finds that websites offer a mixed quality of health information. For instance, the results for medical conditions were generally of higher quality than online searches for wellness and prevention information. Business Standard et al.

FDA Requires Electronic Reports on Medical Device Issues

Fri, 14 Feb 2014 18:05:00 Z

A new final rule from FDA requires medical device manufacturers beginning in August 2015 to electronically submit reports on adverse events associated with their products. FDA receives about 200,000 medical device adverse event reports annually, and it can take three to six days to analyze each paper report. Modern Healthcare.

AHRQ To Prioritize Funding for Health IT Safety Research Projects

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 17:45:00 Z

In a recently published special emphasis notice, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality said it plans to prioritize research funding for projects examining the patient safety risks of electronic health records. AHRQ has been allocated $4 million for health IT research this year. Bloomberg BNA's "Health Care Blog."

Health IT-Fueled Safety Improvement: Big Gains Predicted for 2014

Wed, 05 Feb 2014 13:00:00 Z

Half a dozen health IT thought leaders spoke with iHealthBeat about the key health IT safety-improvement opportunities ahead and some of the persisting challenges.

N.Y. Hospital-Acquired Infections Have Dropped Since Posting of Data

Thu, 19 Dec 2013 18:42:00 Z

Hospital-acquired infection data published by the New York Department of Health show that rates of most of the infections have decreased since the agency began publishing such data in a national CDC database six years ago. Government Health IT.

Patient Safety in Health IT: Identifying, Describing and Reporting Health IT-Related Events and Hazards

Tue, 17 Dec 2013 14:34:00 Z

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT recently released a document that is designed to act as a "how to" for health IT-related adverse event reporting and serve as a guide to help providers identify, describe and report health IT-related events and hazards.

Groups Stump for Incentives To Integrate EHRs, Remote Monitoring

Tue, 26 Nov 2013 19:03:00 Z

A coalition of industry groups is asking lawmakers to encourage HHS to create incentives for the integration of remote patient monitoring tools and electronic health record systems. They argue that expanding interoperability of EHRs, including data generated from remote patient monitoring systems, under Stage 3 of the meaningful use program would help facilitate health care payment reform efforts. Healthcare IT News et al.

15 States Fail To Share Medical Data With Federal Gun Database

Thu, 21 Nov 2013 18:02:00 Z

A new report finds that 15 states in the past 20 years have submitted fewer than 100 records to a federal gun-purchase background check database. Many states have declined to release certain medical information to the database, citing prohibitions under HIPAA. However, several states have passed or are considering legislation to address the issue. Providence Journal et al.

Doctors: Online Cardiovascular Calculator Overestimates Risk

Tue, 19 Nov 2013 19:15:00 Z

Two Harvard Medical School professors say that an online cholesterol calculator created by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology overestimates heart attack risk by up to 150%, depending on the population. AHA and ACC officials say the tool still will be implemented. New York Times et al.

Overrides of Clinical Decision Support Alerts Persist, Groups Try To Address Issue

Mon, 11 Nov 2013 11:30:00 Z

A recent study confirms that prescribers often ignore clinical decision support alerts, including those that are appropriate. Several groups are working to address the ongoing issue of alert fatigue.

Alarm Fatigue Tops ECRI's List of Top 10 Health Technology Hazards

Tue, 05 Nov 2013 19:15:00 Z

An ECRI Institute report finds that alarm fatigue is the biggest health care technology hazard facing hospitals. Other hazards include data integrity failures in electronic health record systems, infusion pump medication errors and robotic surgery complications. Healthcare IT News et al.

FCC Adopts National Public Safety Network Technical Service Rules

Tue, 05 Nov 2013 18:38:00 Z

Last week, the Federal Communications Commission announced the adoption of technical service rules for a nationwide public safety wireless broadband network. The network is aimed at making it easier for emergency responders to communicate with one other. FierceMobileHealthcare, GCN.

Health Care Providers Override More Than Half of E-Rx Alerts

Fri, 01 Nov 2013 15:41:00 Z

A study published this week finds that health care providers override more than half of clinical decision support alerts when using electronic prescribing systems. According to the study, only 53% of those overrides are medically appropriate. FierceHealthIT, Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.

Sharp HealthCare Rises to the Challenges Posed by This Digital Age

Thu, 17 Oct 2013 12:00:00 Z

With 4.5 million health care records, representing more than 2.3 million patient visits annually, sorting out duplicate records and multiple patient identities has been a challenge for Sharp HealthCare. The health system has turned to advanced identification technologies to facilitate safe health information exchange.

Federal Authorities Shut Down Illegal Online Drug Marketplace

Thu, 03 Oct 2013 17:24:00 Z

Yesterday, federal authorities shut down a website that offered the anonymous sale of prescription drugs, narcotics and other illegal goods and services and arrested the site's operator. The website generated the equivalent of about $1.2 billion in sales revenue and had nearly one million users worldwide. New York Times et al.

Patient Participation: Let Patients Help With Medical Record Quality, Completeness

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 13:30:00 Z

Clinicians work in an imperfect system, with holes in their workflows and no proofreaders. Patients and their families can help. They have the most at stake in the accuracy and completeness of their medical record and are in the best position to spot mistakes or omissions.

Report Finds That EHR Default Values Can Result in Harm to Patients

Fri, 06 Sep 2013 17:09:00 Z

A Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority report that examined 324 event reports related to electronic health record default values finds that 3% of such errors resulted in unsafe conditions or prolonged hospitalizations. Researchers say that providers should consider whether EHR software allows users to easily tell the difference between user-entered data and system-entered data. Healthcare IT News et al.

Policy Committee Issues Final Health IT Regulation Proposals

Thu, 05 Sep 2013 18:10:00 Z

The Health IT Policy Committee has released final recommendations for establishing a regulatory framework for health IT. In the recommendations, the committee emphasizes the importance of greater transparency in health IT regulation and cross-agency collaboration. Health Data Management, FierceHealthIT.

Reaction to ONC's Recently Released Health IT Safety Plan Mostly Positive

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 12:30:00 Z

Response to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT's recently released health IT safety plan has been mostly positive, but CIOs and the vendor community have cited concerns about certain elements.

CMS Seeks Emergency Review of Exchange Data Breach Rule

Wed, 21 Aug 2013 17:06:00 Z

CMS has requested an emergency review of a proposed rule that would require health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act to report within one hour any privacy or security issues. The agency said "public harm is reasonably likely to result" if the rule is not approved. Health Data Management et al.

Group Announces Work on Guidelines for Medical Device Safety

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 16:38:00 Z

The Center for Internet Security announced that it has begun creating a set of guidelines to ensure the security and safety of medical devices. The group's move comes after FDA in June issued guidance calling for medical device manufacturers to protect their products against hacking and cyberattacks. San Francisco Chronicle.

FDA Finalizes Guidance on Radio Frequency Wireless Technology

Fri, 16 Aug 2013 10:30:00 Z

More than six years after releasing draft guidance, FDA this week finalized guidance on the use of radio frequency wireless technology in medical devices. An FDA official said the development of "innovative, safe and effective medical devices that incorporate wireless technology" could help cut costs and boost quality. Bloomberg BNA.

Work Group Issues Draft Health IT Regulatory Framework

Thu, 08 Aug 2013 17:06:00 Z

A federal work group has announced its draft recommendations for establishing a regulatory framework for mobile health applications and other health IT tools. One of the FDASIA work group's recommendations is that health IT should not be subject to pre-market federal regulation. Modern Healthcare's "Vital Signs."

Mass. Officials Say Nurses' Lack of EHR Access Put Patients at Risk

Fri, 02 Aug 2013 16:50:00 Z

An investigation by the Massachusetts health department has concluded that Boston Medical Center dialysis patients were exposed to hepatitis B because nurses lacked access to electronic health records. The hospital said that is has conducted a comprehensive review of care at the dialysis unit and is working to implement new policies. Boston Globe's "White Coat Notes."

State Medical Boards, HHS To Tackle Telemedicine, Licensing Rules

Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:21:00 Z

The Federation of State Medical Boards and HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration are working to update regulations around license mobility and telemedicine. The groups want to protect patients' safety without inhibiting the multistate practice of medicine. Modern Physician.

ONC Unveils Final Health IT Safety Plan

Mon, 29 Jul 2013 16:10:00 Z

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT's final Health IT Patient Safety Action and Surveillance Plan aims to promote the health care industry's use of health IT to make care safer and to continuously improve the safety of health IT itself.

Advocates Push for Final Rule on Unique Device Identification System

Thu, 25 Jul 2013 18:22:00 Z

Patient safety advocates are urging federal officials to issue an overdue final rule to establish a unique device identification system. The congressional deadline for issuing the final rule was June 19, but the rule has been held up in the Office of Management and Budget. HealthLeaders Media.

IT Assists Research and Communication To Cut Readmissions at El Camino Hospital

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 12:00:00 Z

El Camino Hospital -- a 443-bed acute care facility in the middle of the Silicon Valley -- turned to IT to tackle patient readmissions. The hospital's experience shows how IT can provide effective tools to enable a health care provider to meet a community's overall needs.

Health IT Funding Boost Needed To Enhance CDC's Infection Tracking Network

Wed, 10 Jul 2013 12:00:00 Z

Health care organizations and officials say CDC's health care-associated infection tracking system needs a significant funding boost to take advantage of health IT advances that could exponentially increase its capacity and capabilities.

ONC Awards Health IT Safety Contract to Joint Commission

Mon, 08 Jul 2013 17:16:00 Z

The Joint Commission has been awarded a contract by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT to contribute to ONC's Health IT Patient Safety Action & Surveillance Plan by working to identify and prevent health IT-related adverse events. Clinical Innovation & Technology, Modern Healthcare.

HHS Issues Final Plan Outlining Steps To Boost Health IT Safety

Tue, 02 Jul 2013 18:05:00 Z

HHS has released a final health IT safety plan, calling for shared responsibility within HHS and significant participation by the private sector. The plan recommends collecting and analyzing data on patient safety events and incorporating health IT safety in post-market surveillance of electronic health records. FierceHealthIT.

Voluntary Code of Conduct for EHR Developers Released

Wed, 26 Jun 2013 07:00:00 Z

The Electronic Health Record Association recently released a voluntary code of conduct for electronic health record developers. While the effect the code of conduct will have on the federal government's regulatory activities is unclear, it appears to be a step in the right direction.

Homeland Security Warns About Safety of 300 Medical Devices

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 07:00:00 Z

Researchers have found that password vulnerabilities in 300 medical devices from 40 vendors could allow unauthorized users to change drug dosages or cause the devices to produce inaccurate readings, according to a recent federal alert. FierceHealthIT, GovInfoSecurity.

Health IT Stakeholders Caution Against Quick Regulation of Industry

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 07:00:00 Z

In a letter to the Obama administration, more than 100 health IT stakeholders requested that officials not rush the development of a regulatory framework for the industry. They called for oversight that ensures patient safety and encourages innovation. Healthcare IT News.

FDA Urges Medical Device Makers To Boost Cybersecurity

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 07:00:00 Z

FDA guidance released today calls on medical device manufacturers to protect their products against hacking and cyberattacks. FDA urged the firms to develop security controls to protect the confidentiality and integrity of information and limit malfunctions resulting from computer viruses. Agency officials said such events could lead to patient harm. Wall Street Journal.

Study Suggests Fewer Drop-Down Menus Could Reduce E-Rx Errors

Fri, 31 May 2013 07:00:00 Z

A Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association study finds electronic prescribing errors are most likely to occur when selecting a drop-down menu or editing information within the system. The authors say fewer drop-down menus could reduce the number of prescription errors. FierceHealthIT.

ONC, FCC, FDA Seek Public Input on Health IT Regulatory Framework

Fri, 31 May 2013 07:00:00 Z

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, the Federal Communications Commission and FDA are seeking public comments as they develop a health IT regulatory framework. They are soliciting input on health IT taxonomy, regulation, and risk and innovation. mHIMSS et al.

New Online Tool Offers Data on Physicians' Prescribing Patterns

Mon, 13 May 2013 07:00:00 Z

A new online tool created by ProPublica allows the public for the first time to search, sort and compare information on physicians and other health care providers who prescribe medication under Medicare Part D. The tool -- called Prescriber Checkup -- accompanies ProPublica's analysis of CMS data on Medicare Part D prescribing patterns. ProPublica/Washington Post, ProPublica.

House Subcommittee Advances Bill To Boost Rx Drug Tracking

Thu, 09 May 2013 07:00:00 Z

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health has advanced a draft bill to increase oversight of the country's prescription drug supply. Unlike similar draft legislation introduced in the Senate, the House proposal would not require FDA to implement electronic tracking tools. However, the House proposal would allow for electronic prescription labeling. The Hill's "RegWatch" et al.

Advocates Seek Funding for National Network To Track Hospital Infections

Thu, 09 May 2013 07:00:00 Z

Thirty health care and patient safety organizations have sent a letter asking Congress to approve $31.5 million to support CDC's National Health Care Safety Network -- which tracks health care-associated infections -- as well as a related CDC program. Health Data Management.

FDA Behind Schedule on Final Rule for Medical Device Identifier System

Wed, 08 May 2013 07:00:00 Z

An FDA spokesperson says that it likely will be at least seven weeks before the agency releases a final rule creating a unique device identification system. A UDI system would allow FDA to electronically track and recall problematic medical devices. Modern Healthcare.

Study: Social Media Can Help Researchers Track Medication Misuse

Tue, 07 May 2013 07:00:00 Z

For a new study, researchers from Brigham Young University used Twitter to track Adderall misuse among college students. According to the researchers, social media could help public health officials identify populations with high rates of medication misuse. Deseret News et al.

CMS Removing Certain Medical Error Data From Hospital Compare Site

Fri, 03 May 2013 07:00:00 Z

CMS said it intends to remove data on eight hospital-acquired conditions from its Hospital Compare website in part because some of the measures are redundant. The agency is expected to identify a new list of hospital-acquired conditions to report on the site. Bloomberg.

FCC Seeks Comments on National Public Safety Broadband Network

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:00:00 Z

The Federal Communications Commission is seeking input on its plan to create a national public safety broadband network. Such a network would make it easier for emergency responders to communicate with each other. FierceMobileHealthcare, Courthouse News Service.

Study: Newer EHRs With Advanced Features Can Curb Prescribing Errors

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:00:00 Z

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association finds that implementing newer electronic health record systems with advanced clinical decision support tools could help reduce prescribing errors over time. Becker's Hospital Review et al.

Lawmakers Question Lack of Electronic Drug Tracking in Draft Bill

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:00:00 Z

Some lawmakers are concerned about the lack of electronic drug tracking requirements in a draft House bill aimed at boosting oversight of the nation's prescription drug supply. A similar Senate proposal calls for an electronic drug tracking system. The Hill's "RegWatch" et al.

Rethinking Readmissions: The Importance of Improving Communication

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:00:00 Z

To reduce hospital readmissions, health care providers must embrace today's user-friendly technologies to improve communication between care teams. The key will be identifying tools that allow doctors to jump into the communication revolution, without abandoning security and privacy.

FDA Unveils Plan To Modernize Surveillance of Medical Devices

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:00:00 Z

As part of its plan to modernize its medical device surveillance system, FDA is calling for the creation of a smartphone application that would make it easier for health care providers to report medical device-related adverse events. Meanwhile, the agency has launched a new website to educate consumers about its regulatory process. Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times' "Booster Shots."