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Shareholders File Suit Against Allscripts, Urge CEO To Resign

Tue, 22 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

HealthCor Management -- one of the largest shareholders of health IT firm Allscripts' Healthcare Solutions -- has filed a lawsuit after Allscripts CEO Glen Tullman refused HealthCor's demands that he resign. The suit is asking the court to postpone Allscripts' June 15 annual meeting so HealthCor can nominate candidates for vacant positions on Allscripts' board. Reuters et al.

Health IT Business News Roundup for the Week of May 25, 2012

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

AlliedHIE and ICA, providers of health data exchange tools and services, have partnered to launch a nationwide health information exchange network. BodyMedia, a vendor of wearable body monitors, announced that it has completed a $12 million funding round with contributions from multiple investors.

FCC Votes To Allocate Spectrum for Wireless Medical Monitoring

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Today, the Federal Communications Commission unanimously voted to allocate spectrum for wireless sensors that can monitor a patient's vital signs. FCC's approval makes the U.S. the first country to allocate spectrum for medical body area networks, or MBANs. FCC is working with FDA on a process for approving MBAN devices. National Journal/Yahoo! News, Bloomberg Businessweek.

Dictation Linked With Worse Care Than Other EHR Input Methods

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A study finds that doctors who dictate their notes for uploading to electronic health record systems received "significantly worse" care quality scores for certain patient outcomes measures than physicians who used two other documentation methods. NextGov, FierceEMR.

U.S. Olympic Committee To Use EHR Tools During London 2012 Games

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, the U.S. Olympic Committee said it will deploy GE's electronic health record system to manage care for athletes, staff and volunteers at the Summer 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. USOC plans to continue its partnership with GE for future games. eWeek et al.

State Information Officers Endorse CMS' Medicaid IT Plan

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

In a new report, the National Association of State Information Officers urges states to use a new framework developed by CMS when modernizing their Medicaid IT systems. The report states that adhering to Medicaid Information Technology Architecture 3.0 Framework will help improve the interoperability and agility of state Medicaid programs. Government Computer News.

GW Researchers Launch New Website on Health Information Laws

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

George Washington University researchers have launched a new website to educate consumers, health care providers and organizations about federal and state laws related to health information. The site was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Healthcare IT News, FierceHealthIT.

Caregivers Turning to Online Communities for Guidance, Support

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Caregivers are making greater use of online communities to seek out health information and social support. Certain websites allow family members to track medical information, while others connect users with a larger community of caregivers. New York Times' "The New Old Age."

Patients Forming Online Communities To Help Boost Medical Research

Tue, 29 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Patients are using social networking websites, message boards and other Web tools to form online communities. Such communities can facilitate research by connecting numerous patients with a specific condition. NPR's "Morning Edition."

Most Patients Trust Medical Data Found Online, Survey Finds

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A survey from Wolters Kluwer Health finds that 65% of consumers who seek medical information online say they trust the data that they find. Sixty-seven percent of respondents say that medical websites have made them better-informed patients. Healthcare Informatics et al.

Mass. Hospital Faces $750,000 Settlement Over Data Breach

Tue, 29 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

South Shore Hospital in Massachusetts has agreed to pay a $250,000 civil penalty and $225,000 toward a special fund as part of a settlement over a 2010 data breach that exposed the personal data of 800,000 individuals. The $750,000 settlement also credits the hospital for spending $275,000 to adopt new security measures after the breach. Boston Globe's "Business Updates" et al.

VA, Pentagon To Launch Joint EHR System Between 2014 and 2017

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Department of Veterans Affairs CIO Roger Baker announced that the joint electronic health record system planned by VA and the Department of Defense will be deployed in stages between 2014 and 2017 and will cost $4 billion to develop. Federal Computer Week, NextGov.

CMS, NASA Announce Contest for Software To Screen Health Providers

Tue, 29 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

CMS and NASA's Federal Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation could award up to $600,000 for the creation of open-source software that improves the health care provider screening process for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Modern Healthcare.

IT Challenges Hindering State Health Insurance Exchanges

Wed, 30 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

States implementing health insurance exchanges under the federal health reform law face logistical challenges in launching health IT systems that can handle enrollment procedures, according to health policy experts. Some states might have to seek assistance from the federal government under a "partnership model" to launch a successful IT system for their exchange. Politico.

Video Game Designed To Help Physicians ID Substance Misuse Issues

Tue, 29 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Researchers are testing a Web-based, interactive video game that simulates conversations with patients who are seeking prescription painkillers. The game is designed to help physicians and medical students learn how to recognize signs of substance misuse. New York Times.