iHealthBeat: Insight

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.

Stakeholders Question Efficacy of New Cybersecurity Law, HHS Task Force

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 11:00:00 Z

Under a cybersecurity measure included in the recently signed spending agreement, HHS is required to convene a task force and report to Congress on the state of cybersecurity in health care. But some experts say the industry should skip that step and instead start implementing best practices.

Health IT Experts Weigh In on Trends for 2016

Wed, 13 Jan 2016 12:00:00 Z

Doug Fridsma, president and CEO of the American Medical Informatics Association, John Halamka, CIO of the Beth Israel Deaconess Health System, and Lynne Thomas Gordon, CEO of the American Health Information Management Association, spoke with iHealthBeat about the biggest issues and challenges facing the health IT sector this year.

True Interoperability Is Still Far Off

Wed, 06 Jan 2016 11:00:00 Z

True interoperability cannot be realized until physicians, hospitals and other providers can access and view the discrete data they need to improve patient care, experts say. Today, that kind of interoperability among disparate electronic health records is rare; instead, health information exchange is still mostly confined to the interchange of documents, such as care summaries.

Computerized Behavioral Therapy Could Boost Access to Care, but Barriers Remain

Mon, 21 Dec 2015 12:00:00 Z

Computerized cognitive behavioral therapy is being explored as a cost-effective way to boost access to mental health services. However, two pilot studies at safety-net clinics in California highlight the various challenges to realizing the technology's promise.

Telehealth 2.0? Remote Diagnosis Market Heating Up

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 12:00:00 Z

Several firms are offering remote diagnostic devices that let consumers conduct an exam on their own and then send the results to their doctors. But the future of the sector is unclear because of federal regulations, reimbursement challenges and uncertainty about provider adoption.

Do CMS' Compare Websites Help Patients Make Informed Health Care Choices?

Wed, 09 Dec 2015 12:30:00 Z

Adams Dudley of the University of California-San Francisco, CMS' Kate Goodrich, Ashish Jha of the Harvard School of Public Health and Lynn Quincy of Consumers Union spoke with iHealthBeat about federal efforts to boost health care quality transparency.

Workplace Wellness Programs Promising, but Health Data Privacy Concerns Remain

Mon, 07 Dec 2015 11:00:00 Z

Employers are widely adopting wellness programs to encourage healthier behaviors among employees and to lower medical costs. But questions about how sensitive health data are stored and who ultimately gains access to such information continue to surface.

Medication Adherence: Technology Helps, but Multifaceted Approach Needed

Thu, 03 Dec 2015 12:00:00 Z

Medication adherence is one of the health care industry's most daunting problems, but experts say health IT -- from sophisticated reminder messaging systems to "smart" pill dispensers to remote sensors -- can be leveraged to help ensure patients take prescribed medications as instructed.

The Time Has Come for Two-Factor Authentication in Health Care

Mon, 23 Nov 2015 11:00:00 Z

Banking and other industries have turned to two-factor authentication to secure sensitive information, but health care organizations' adoption of such tools has lagged behind. Experts predict that could change as security breaches continue to plague the health care sector.

California Researchers Eye Robots To Help People Age at Home

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 14:58:00 Z

University of California-San Diego's new Contextual Robotics Institute plans to develop robotics systems with the ability to sense and interpret human movement and emotion. It's part of a growing trend to leverage technology to help the increasing number of older adults remain at home.

Industry Uses De-Identification To Protect Health Data, but Privacy Risks Remain

Wed, 11 Nov 2015 15:59:00 Z

Health care organizations increasingly are de-identifying patient data to protect the privacy of sensitive information. However, a recent National Institute of Standards and Technology report warns that de-identification isn't yet a foolproof method for protecting data privacy.

ICD-10 Transition Has Been Relatively Smooth, but Full Effects Still Unclear

Wed, 11 Nov 2015 12:00:00 Z

Barbie Hays of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Cathie Ott of Washington state's Division of Program and Payment Integrity, Dan Rode, a health IT consultant, and Robert Tennant of the Medical Group Management Association spoke with iHealthBeat about the health care industry's transition to ICD-10.

Feds Look To Improve Broadband Access Amid Health IT Boom

Fri, 30 Oct 2015 19:37:00 Z

Health care providers increasingly are turning to health IT tools and Wi-Fi-enabled medical devices to improve patient care. However, broadband connectivity gaps -- particularly in rural areas -- and slow connection speeds are hampering efforts to digitize the health care industry.

Telehealth, Online Programs Could Boost Access to Needed Mental Health Care

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 11:00:00 Z

The need for mental health treatment throughout the U.S. far surpasses the number of trained professionals available to provide it. But a host of technologies are helping to bridge that gap by connecting patients with mental health treatment and programs remotely.

Plethora of Mobile Health Apps, but Few Have Struck Gold With Consumers

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:00:00 Z

Raj Oswal of the mobile application platform company O'Interface, Rosalind Picard of Empatica, a wearables and mobile app company, and Steve Steinhubl of the Scripps Translational Science Institute spoke with iHealthBeat about the current state and future outlook of the mobile health app movement.

Health 2.0 Confronts Entrenched Health Challenges

Tue, 13 Oct 2015 10:00:00 Z

At the 9th annual Health 2.0 conference last week in Santa Clara, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy talked about how "technology can actually help us tackle so many problems in health that we see as insurmountable."

Health Care Is Increasingly Moving to the Cloud, but How Does Security Stack Up?

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 10:00:00 Z

The health care industry increasingly is turning to cloud hosting platforms to store sensitive patient data. Proponents say cloud service providers have stepped up security protections, but critics say there are still risks.

Can EHRs Succeed if Some Stakeholders Intentionally Block Interoperability?

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:21:00 Z

Sen. Lamar Alexander, David Kibbe of Direct Trust, William Rich of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Micky Tripathi of the Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative discuss electronic health record interoperability and information blocking.

ATA Fall Forum: Experts Discuss How To Overcome Barriers to Telehealth

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 10:30:00 Z

At the American Telemedicine Association's 2015 Fall Forum, speakers said that telehealth can play a critical role in reducing costs and expanding access to care. However, the widespread adoption of telehealth depends on expanding reimbursement, clarifying standards and modifying licensure rules.

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.

Alphabet Breathes New Life, Resources Into Google's Health Care Projects

Mon, 31 Aug 2015 10:30:00 Z

As the media frenzy surrounding Alphabet begins to abate, new details are emerging on what Google's health care projects will look like and how the new portfolio-like company will operate. Industry experts say the move could give some Google ventures more freedom and resources to innovate, as well as boost transparency to catch potential failures earlier.

Health System, Apps Must Evolve for Mobile Health Adoption To Take Off

Wed, 26 Aug 2015 12:00:00 Z

Mobile health application adoption has been slow in part because of cost, usability and privacy concerns. However, as mobile tools improve and the culture of health care delivery evolves, experts say patients will increasingly turn to mobile apps to understand and manage their care.

Ready or Not: Oct. 1 ICD-10 Transition Deadline Appears Here To Stay

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:00:00 Z

Some stakeholders say the Oct. 1 deadline to switch to ICD-10 code sets is inevitable, regardless of whether everyone is ready. Lawmakers have introduced a handful of bills targeting the transition, but Congress will have less than one month to act when it returns from its summer recess.

21st Century Cures Act Prompts Debate Over Patient Consent Rules

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 17:28:00 Z

Patient privacy advocates say the House-approved 21st Century Cures Act lacks safeguards for personal health data being used for medical research and hope the Senate version of the bill will do more to strengthen patient consent rules.

Researchers Mine Electronic Health Records for Answers

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 11:00:00 Z

Elizabeth McGlynn of the Kaiser Permanente Center for Effectiveness and Safety Research, Joe Selby of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Nigam Shah of Stanford University and Susan Weber of the Stanford Center for Clinical Informatics spoke with iHealthBeat about how mining electronic health record data could advance health care research.

IBM Hopes CVS-Watson Partnership Leads to More Connections in Cloud

Thu, 06 Aug 2015 10:00:00 Z

IBM officials hope a new partnership with CVS pharmacies will create a platform in the Watson Health Cloud to allow many organizations and agencies to collaborate with the goal of eventually improving the country's health care delivery system.

EHR Interoperability With Long-Term Care Providers Wanted, but Who Will Pay?

Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:00:00 Z

The federal government wants skilled nursing facilities and home care agencies to electronically exchange health information with hospitals and other providers. But it's unclear where long-term and post-acute-care providers -- who aren't eligible for meaningful use incentives -- will get the money to implement these health IT systems.

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.

Telemedicine at a Crossroads

Fri, 10 Jul 2015 11:00:00 Z

Supporters of telemedicine are encouraged by parity laws in states and bills under consideration in Congress. However, wariness remains among some providers and public payers about care fragmentation and costs.

EHRs a Hit With Major League Baseball

Wed, 08 Jul 2015 11:00:00 Z

Heinz Hoenecke, Jr., the head team physician for the San Diego Padres, Chris Marinak, Major League Baseball's senior vice president of league economics & strategy, and Ron Porterfield, head athletic trainer for the Tampa Bay Rays, spoke with iHealthBeat about how the MLB's use of electronic health records has improved care quality, communication and standardization among the league's 30 teams.

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.

University of Oregon Sexual Assault Case Sheds Light on Medical Privacy Limitations

Thu, 25 Jun 2015 11:00:00 Z

The medical records of students seeking care at university and college health clinics are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, rather than HIPAA. A recent University of Oregon sexual assault case highlights how FERPA offers weaker privacy protections, which some experts say could deter students from seeking needed health care.

Advocates Urge CMS To Reverse its Plan To Lower Patient Engagement Bar

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:00:00 Z

Patient advocates are hoping to stop a CMS proposal to dramatically lower the patient engagement bar providers must meet under Stage 2 of the meaningful use program. In response to provider complaints, CMS proposed reducing the 5% threshold for patients to view, download or transmit their health records to one single patient.

Big Gaps in How Medical Schools Are Preparing Students To Use EHRs

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 11:00:00 Z

Gary Beck, executive director of the Alliance for Clinical Education, Priyanka Chilakamarri, a medical student at the University of Vermont, Jill Jemison, director of technology services at the University of Vermont, and Anderson Spickard, a professor and assistant dean of Vanderbilt School of Medicine, spoke with iHealthBeat about the variations in how medical schools are training students to use electronic health records.

San Diego HIE To See Participation Boost With New Providers, Consent Change

Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:17:00 Z

With the addition of three major health systems and a change in its patient consent policy, San Diego Health Connect is on track to have two million patients participating in the health information exchange by later this month. While some have raised privacy concerns, others say that increased health information sharing will help improve efficiency and care quality.

Cybersecurity on Lawmakers' Radar

Thu, 04 Jun 2015 11:00:00 Z

The health care industry isn't alone in its fight against data breaches. Congress and the White House are pursuing proposals to address cybersecurity. While the measures aren't geared specifically toward health care, the provisions touch on key issues for all sectors.

The FHIR Train Leaves the Station

Tue, 26 May 2015 10:00:00 Z

Proponents of the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources, or FHIR, standards framework say it can facilitate health information exchange, expand electronic health record capabilities and foster mobile health innovation.

Telehealth Project Aims To Improve Health Care Access for American Indian Tribes

Wed, 20 May 2015 10:00:00 Z

Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health, a system serving nine American Indian tribes in California's Inland Empire, has rolled out a telehealth project that could serve as a model for tribes statewide.

How Hospitals Are Leveraging Social Media

Tue, 12 May 2015 10:00:00 Z

Most hospitals have adopted at least one social media platform, leveraging tools such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. The industry uses social media with varying degrees of expertise and enthusiasm. While some haven't quite bought into the value of social media, others see a strong business and financial case for it.

Teleburn Aids in Burn Diagnosis, Treatment

Mon, 04 May 2015 11:00:00 Z

As burn units at hospitals around the country shutter due to the high cost of delivering burn care, telemedicine can help address gaps in access to care. Further, experts say the technology can boost treatment quality and reduce costs.

Meaningful Use Stage 3 Proposed Rule Targets Ongoing Security Concerns

Thu, 23 Apr 2015 11:00:00 Z

As health care delivery organizations prepare their systems for interoperability, CMS' Stage 3 proposed rule recommends new procedures that modify the security risk analysis timing and review requirements.

Patients, Doctors See Mobile Health App Benefits, but Privacy Concerns Remain

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 12:13:00 Z

Deborah Estrin, a professor of computer science at Cornell Tech, Evan Muse, a cardiologist and fellow at Scripps Translational Science Institute, Deborah Peel, a psychiatrist and founder of Patient Privacy Rights, and Whitney Zatzkin, a user of mobile health applications, spoke with iHealthBeat about the growing use of mobile health apps.

HIMSS15: Federal Health Officials 'Optimistic' About Future of Health IT

Fri, 17 Apr 2015 14:00:00 Z

National Coordinator for Health IT Karen DeSalvo and acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt are "optimistic" about leveraging health IT to improve care and reduce costs. They also discussed the importance of interoperability and Congress' increased interest in health IT policy.

HIMSS15: A Health System Ripe for Change

Wed, 15 Apr 2015 13:17:00 Z

Humana President and CEO Bruce Broussard made a plea for conference attendees to "change the conversation" in health care. Meanwhile, National Coordinator for Health IT Karen DeSalvo discussed how legislation to permanently replace the Medicare sustainable growth rate formula could affect federal health IT efforts.

HIMSS15: Patient Engagement Tug-of-War

Tue, 14 Apr 2015 13:31:00 Z

Patient engagement has emerged as a hot topic at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society's annual conference. The timing is interesting, given that CMS just proposed a rule that significantly scales back the patient engagement requirements under the meaningful use program.

Innovators Look To Bridge the Gap Between Open Data and Consumers

Thu, 09 Apr 2015 10:00:00 Z

As the federal government seeks to boost health data transparency, innovators and entrepreneurs are stepping in to transform complex data sets into easy-to-use tools for consumers. Still, experts say more work remains to ensure the right data are available in meaningful and digestible formats.

Security and Startups To Be a Big Focus at HIMSS15

Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:41:00 Z

JoAnn Klinedinst and Karen Malone of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, Julia Adler-Milstein of the University of Michigan and George McCulloch of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives spoke with iHealthBeat about the HIMSS15 conference.

ONC's New CMO Talks Meaningful Use, EHR Implementation Strategies & More

Mon, 30 Mar 2015 11:00:00 Z

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT's new CMO Thomas Mason discusses how the meaningful use program is working on the ground, his advice for providers just getting started with electronic health record adoption and what he hopes to accomplish in his first year in the post.

Complexity of DEA Rules Hindering E-Rxing of Controlled Substances

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 10:00:00 Z

Nearly five years after the Drug Enforcement Administration issued an interim final rule allowing electronic prescribing of controlled substances, adoption continues to lag among some groups. Only 6% of prescribers have gone through the required hoops to e-prescribe controlled substances and fewer than 50 EHR vendors have obtained the requisite certification.

EHR Security: To Encrypt or Not To Encrypt

Mon, 16 Mar 2015 11:30:00 Z

The recent massive data breach at Anthem has raised new questions about whether HIPAA should be revised to require encryption of all protected health information, including patient data stored in electronic health records. But security experts are divided on the value of encryption.

Gamification in Health Care Is Booming, but Is it Effective?

Wed, 11 Mar 2015 11:00:00 Z

Tom Baranowski of Baylor College of Medicine, Willis Gee of Cigna, Cameron Lister of Brigham Young University, Kevin Werbach of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business and Rhett Woods of Rally Health spoke with iHealthBeat about the growing use of digital gaming to encourage healthy behaviors and reduce costs.

mHealth Advocates Fear Net Neutrality

Mon, 09 Mar 2015 11:00:00 Z

Some stakeholders warn that the Federal Communications Commission's recent decision on net neutrality could harm innovation and access to mobile health care. Opponents of the new rules plan to ask Congress to take action.

Calif. Supreme Court To Mull Privacy, Access Rules for Rx Monitoring Database

Thu, 05 Mar 2015 12:00:00 Z

Some experts say the California Supreme Court should impose further restrictions on access to the state's prescription drug monitoring database to ensure patient privacy is prioritized. However, others say the public interest of curbing prescription misuse outweighs the argument for increased limitations.

Carrot to Stick: How the Meaningful Use Penalties Will Affect Providers

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 12:51:00 Z

One in two eligible professionals is set to face a penalty under the meaningful use program this year. But most of those doctors will see payment adjustments of less than $2,000. So, are the concerns about the penalties being detrimental to providers overblown? Or is this the start of a "regulatory tsunami" that will threaten practices and jeopardize patient care?

Health Care Implications of Obama's Cybersecurity Proposal Remain Uncertain

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 12:30:00 Z

Last month, President Obama detailed a proposal designed to prompt legislation on cybersecurity, which he said is "a growing public safety and public health" concern. But it is unclear how the proposal could affect the health care industry.

Feds Want To Boost Clinical Trial Data Sharing, but Barriers Stand in the Way

Wed, 11 Feb 2015 12:30:00 Z

Kay Dickersin of the Center for Clinical Trials and Evidence at Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Medicine, Mark Grayson of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and Harlan Krumholz of the Yale-New Haven Hospital Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation spoke with iHealthBeat about efforts to bolster clinical trial data sharing.

Many HIEs Face Questions of Sustainability

Mon, 09 Feb 2015 12:30:00 Z

Health information exchanges throughout the country are struggling to remain sustainable as federal funding dwindles and HIE markets continue to change. Some HIEs have shut down and transitioned functions to state Medicaid departments, while others are pursuing innovative partnerships and business models to stay relevant.

How Health Care Payment Reform and Interoperability Are Intertwined

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 13:48:00 Z

The health care industry could finally be ready to make real progress on interoperability, thanks in part to Medicare's recently announced value-based payment plan. Meanwhile, experts say CMS' shift to alternative payment models can't succeed without health IT interoperability.

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.

Recap of Q4 2014 Federal Health IT Activity

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:00:00 Z

The fourth quarter of 2014 included a host of federal health IT activity, such as the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT releasing a strategic federal health IT plan and a draft roadmap on nationwide interoperability, as well as personnel changes within ONC.

Online Patient Communities Empowering Patients, Transforming Care

Wed, 14 Jan 2015 12:30:00 Z

Dave deBronkart, a patient engagement advocate, Sherry Franklin, a pediatric endocrinologist, Danny Sands, a primary care doctor and professor, and Eric Topol, a cardiologist and director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute, spoke with iHealthBeat about how online patient communities are redefining the doctor-patient relationship and could ultimately transform care delivery.

Doctors' Concerns About Emailing With Patients Appear To Be Unfounded

Mon, 12 Jan 2015 12:00:00 Z

Despite potential improvements in patient engagement and communication, most doctors remain unenthusiastic about using secure email with patients, in part because they fear the messages will overwhelm them and reduce their productivity.

12 Experts Weigh In on Health IT Progress, Disappointment in 2014 & Hopes for 2015

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 12:00:00 Z

iHealthBeat asked 12 health IT experts to weigh in on the most significant health IT development in 2014, the biggest disappointment of the past year and how to tackle the remaining barriers to widespread health IT adoption in 2015.

VA To Expand Telehealth in 2015

Mon, 22 Dec 2014 12:30:00 Z

In fiscal year 2014, nearly 700,000 veterans participated in more than two million virtual appointments. With impressive patient satisfaction rates, the Department of Veterans Affairs plans to expand its telehealth use in 2015, positioning itself as a leader in the field.

Patients: The 'X' Factor for Health Information Exchange

Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:00:00 Z

Recent reports suggest that patients are eager to engage through technology and could be the "X" factor to spurring greater electronic exchange of health information. But do consumers have the necessary tools to engage in the way they desire -- and are health care providers prepared to embrace the change?

Patient Engagement, Interoperability Needed for Mobile Health To Succeed

Fri, 12 Dec 2014 12:00:00 Z

At the 2014 mHealth Summit, health care experts and patient advocates said that mobile health can greatly reduce health care costs and improve patient outcomes. However, the long-term success of mobile health depends on improving patient engagement and increasing interoperability.

Interoperability Tops Health IT Goals for Industry in 2015

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:00:00 Z

National Coordinator for Health IT Karen DeSalvo, eHealth Initiative CEO Jennifer Covich Bordenick, Brian Ahier of Medicity, Tom Leary of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and American Medical Association President-elect Steven Stack spoke with iHealthBeat about the challenges for health IT in 2015.

Health Care Industry To See Phishing, Malware Attacks Intensify in 2015

Thu, 04 Dec 2014 13:00:00 Z

Industry experts predict that health organizations will experience more targeted security attacks in the coming year. Hospitals and health systems hold a wealth of valuable data, but the health care sector trails other industries in IT security.

Can the U.S. Health Care System Realize the Promise of Digital Health?

Thu, 20 Nov 2014 11:00:00 Z

Speakers at the Digital Health Conference touted the ways health IT could reduce costs, boost access and improve care quality. But privacy, data usability, interoperability and misaligned incentives could make realizing the promise of digital health an uphill battle.

ONC, FTC Promote 'Healthy Competition,' More Transparency in Health IT

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 11:00:00 Z

Jodi Daniel and Karson Mahler of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, Tara Koslov of the Federal Trade Commission and Lydia Washington of the American Health Information Management Association spoke with iHealthBeat about ONC and FTC's efforts to foster competition and innovation in health IT.

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.

Calif., N.Y. Efforts Highlight How HIE Activity Is Shifting Away From Fed Gov't

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 13:00:00 Z

With federal funding for electronic health information exchange largely gone, the locus of HIE activity has been shifting to the state and local level. Unique efforts in California and New York could serve as viable options for a large-scale exchange.

Recap of Q3 2014 Federal Health IT Activity

Mon, 27 Oct 2014 10:30:00 Z

There were a number of important health IT developments in the third quarter of 2014, including HHS releasing final rules to provide more flexibility under the meaningful use program and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT consolidating its federal advisory committee work groups.

Do Physicians Hold the Key to Consumer Mobile Health App Adoption?

Wed, 22 Oct 2014 11:00:00 Z

The mobile health application industry has received a lot of press recently, as big players like Apple and Google enter the market. But despite the hype, research suggests that consumer use of such devices is relatively low. Could physicians change that?

Telehealth Use Growing Amid Pressure for Convenient, Affordable Care Alternatives

Tue, 14 Oct 2014 11:00:00 Z

Patients appreciate the convenience of telehealth, while payers value its potential to help patients access care in more appropriate, and often less expensive, settings and doctors appreciate the simplicity of the business model.

With Another Year To Transition to ICD-10, Health Groups' Readiness Varies

Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:00:00 Z

Ed Babakanian, CIO at the University of California-San Diego Health System, Sue Bowman of the American Health Information Management Association, Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange Chair Jim Daley, California Association of Health Plans President Patrick Johnston and Chantal Worzala of the American Hospital Association spoke with iHealthBeat about how the latest one-year delay to the ICD-10 deadline has affected organizations' readiness.

Health Care Industry Looks To Shore Up Email Security

Mon, 06 Oct 2014 11:00:00 Z

The health care sector lags behind other industries when it comes to email security. However, the implementation of the HITECH Act and the federal meaningful use program are encouraging health care providers to focus more on security.

Health 2.0: The Customer Is King

Mon, 29 Sep 2014 10:00:00 Z

Speakers and attendees at last week's Health 2.0 conference said that giving patients a voice in health care decisions is a priority. The Health 2.0 space has changed from its beginnings as virtual libraries or data storage software to a focus on dynamic personalization and interconnectivity.

Confidentiality of Health Information in PHRs and Mobile Health Apps in California

Mon, 22 Sep 2014 11:00:00 Z

A California law that went into effect this year goes further than HIPAA by holding many different types of organizations -- including some developers of personal health records and mobile applications -- to confidentiality standards and medical data disclosure rules that traditionally have been reserved for health care entities.

Restructuring at ONC Signifies a New Path Forward

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 13:04:00 Z

Julia Adler-Milstein of the University of Michigan, Texas Health Services Authority CEO Tony Gilman and Ross Martin of the American Medical Informatics Association spoke with iHealthBeat about how restructuring at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT will affect the agency's work going forward.

Across the Border of Interoperability

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 11:30:00 Z

Some electronic health record vendors are creating challenges for providers by restricting the kinds of Direct messages their customers can receive or making it hard to open their attachments.

EHR Vendors Put Up Roadblocks to Direct Messaging

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 11:30:00 Z

Electronic health record vendor eClinicalWorks is negotiating one-off agreements with health information service providers, rather than using the DirectTrust HISP network -- a move some stakeholders say has made it challenging for providers to exchange Direct messages.

L.A. County's New EHR System Could Become Model for Rest of U.S.

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 10:00:00 Z

In an ideal world, patients' health data would follow them when they move from one health facility to another. In Los Angeles County, that's not possible ... yet. But a grand jury report suggests the county's new electronic health record system could become a model for other cities and counties.

Technology Advances Boosting Telehealth, but Challenges to Widespread Use Remain

Fri, 05 Sep 2014 12:00:00 Z

IT advances and innovation have helped facilitate increased use in telehealth, but regulatory, logistical and financial challenges remain. Meanwhile, experts say the patient safety risks associated with telehealth use are no greater than they are in traditional care settings.

EHRs Behind Bars: Progress and Barriers

Thu, 21 Aug 2014 12:00:00 Z

Electronic health records are widely touted as a way to improve care coordination and patient outcomes, but few jails have adopted EHR systems. The lack of EHR use among jails means many inmates' personal health records are lost upon their release, which disrupts their treatment and could result in costly, redundant care.

Study Finds Strengths of Social Media in Health Care, Room for Improvement

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:47:00 Z

Timothy Hale of Partners HealthCare's Center for Connected Health, Ben Heywood, co-founder and president of PatientsLikeMe, Christina Thielst, a health administration contractor, and Computer Sciences Corporation Chief Medical Officer Robert Wah spoke with iHealthBeat about the future of social media and health care.

Telestroke Hits the Mainstream, but Can Other Specialties Follow Suit?

Wed, 13 Aug 2014 15:41:00 Z

Telestroke is the "poster child" for telemedicine, but it's unclear whether other specialties will be able to replicate its success. Further, all telehealth services continue to face barriers related to payment and licensure.

SAMHSA Mulls Changes to Federal Substance Abuse Confidentiality Rules

Wed, 06 Aug 2014 11:00:00 Z

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is considering several possible changes to federal substance abuse confidentiality regulations to encourage more widespread health data sharing.

Digital Health Tools Are a Growing Part of Workplace Wellness Programs

Thu, 31 Jul 2014 11:00:00 Z

Digital devices and smartphone applications increasingly are being incorporated into workplace wellness programs to engage employees. Although digital tools can create efficiencies, some experts caution that they do not guarantee the health outcomes employers want.

Health Care Providers Look To Improve Security Incident Response

Thu, 24 Jul 2014 10:52:00 Z

A recent report ranks the health care sector as having the lowest security performance among companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index. The complex nature of the health care industry plays a large role in the slower security incident response times, but organizations can take several steps to boost their incident response.

Recap of Q2 2014 Federal Health IT Activity

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:00:00 Z

There were a host of important health IT developments in the second quarter of 2014, including the release of a proposed rule on electronic health record certification and the extension of meaningful use Stage 2, and HHS releasing a proposed strategy for regulating health IT.

Telemedicine Poised for Growth, but Barriers Hinder Widespread Adoption

Wed, 09 Jul 2014 11:00:00 Z

Larry Friedman, who oversees the clinical telemedicine program for the University of California-San Diego Health System, Center for Connected Health Policy Executive Director Mario Gutierrez, American Telemedicine Association CEO Jonathan Linkous and California Medical Association President Richard Thorp spoke with iHealthBeat about the potential benefits of telemedicine and the barriers to more widespread adoption.

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.

Critics Attack Meaningful Use Program, but Disagree on Solutions

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 12:06:00 Z

Even electronic health record proponents say changes to the meaningful use incentive program are necessary. But stakeholders are divided over how to address concerns and the role of the federal government going forward.

California Pilot Program Leverages EHRs To Coordinate Care for Foster Children

Tue, 24 Jun 2014 11:00:00 Z

A new Ventura County, Calif., pilot project taps health IT to coordinate social workers and health care providers working with foster children. The private-public partnership aims to be a model for other parts of California and the nation.

Stakeholders Tout Potential of Health IT, Highlight Remaining Challenges

Fri, 20 Jun 2014 16:22:00 Z

Increased flexibility in the meaningful use incentive program, leveraging the potential of big data and improving patient engagement in health IT were hot topics at the Government Health IT Conference & Exhibition.

Proposed Meaningful Use Delay Gets Mixed Reaction From Stakeholders

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 10:00:00 Z

Paul Tang of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, William Hersh of Oregon Health & Science University, internist Douglas Ashinsky, Mark Savage of the National Partnership for Women & Families and Mike Hourigan of Cerner spoke with iHealthBeat about HHS' proposed changed to the meaningful use program.

Nuances of Health IT Regulation Remain Up in the Air

Mon, 09 Jun 2014 10:00:00 Z

The FDASIA report details the federal government's strategy on health IT regulation, but stakeholders say many questions remain and that the regulatory uncertainty could hurt the industry.

Improving Coordination Between Hospitals and EMS Through Health Data Exchange

Thu, 05 Jun 2014 11:30:00 Z

A new initiative by HHS' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response aims to better integrate emergency medical service providers in electronic health information exchange, but challenges, such as interoperability and lack of funding, remain.