The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and CDW Healthcare will host five free educational sessions through the end of 2011 covering the transition to electronic health records and qualifying for federal meaningful use incentive payments.
Each session, targeting ambulatory settings, will include a physician who has adopted EHRs and can give real-life lessons, and Mary Griskewicz, senior director of ambulatory information systems at HIMSS. "Our goal is to provide attendees with practical meaningful use knowledge that they can take back and immediately apply to their health care practices," she says.
Sessions are scheduled for Aug. 31 in Seattle, Sept. 27 in Indianapolis, Oct. 20 in Nashville, Nov. 15 in Dallas and Dec. 6 in San Diego. More information is available at himss.org/cdwevents.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, August 29, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
EHR Meaningful Use Certifiers Stay Busy
Four more electronic health records vendors have recently received federally deemed certification of products supporting one or more measures under the EHR meaningful use program. They are:
* HealthPort's eSmartlog release of information product, Version 1.1, as an EHR Module from Drummond Group;
* OptumInsight's Axolotl EMR Lite, version 9.2, as an ambulatory Complete EHR from InfoGard Laboratories;
* GE Healthcare's Centricity RIS-IC radiology system, version 10.7, as an EHR Module from Drummond Group; and
* Iatric Systems' Public Health Syndromic Surveillance Interface, version 1.5; and Public Health Immunization Interface, version 1.5; as EHR Modules by the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology.
The official government list of certified inpatient and outpatient Complete EHRs and EHR Modules is available here.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, August 22, 2011
* HealthPort's eSmartlog release of information product, Version 1.1, as an EHR Module from Drummond Group;
* OptumInsight's Axolotl EMR Lite, version 9.2, as an ambulatory Complete EHR from InfoGard Laboratories;
* GE Healthcare's Centricity RIS-IC radiology system, version 10.7, as an EHR Module from Drummond Group; and
* Iatric Systems' Public Health Syndromic Surveillance Interface, version 1.5; and Public Health Immunization Interface, version 1.5; as EHR Modules by the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology.
The official government list of certified inpatient and outpatient Complete EHRs and EHR Modules is available here.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, August 22, 2011
Four Apps Added to EHR Certification Roster
Four additional specific electronic health records products have received federally deemed certification for meeting Stage 1 meaningful use criteria.
"Complete EHR" certification means a product supports all ambulatory or inpatient meaningful use requirements. "Modular EHR" certification means an ancillary application meets one or more requirements. The newly certified products and the certifying entity are:
* Meridios' healthMATRIX 3.0 health registry application, as an EHR Module, certified by InfoGard Laboratories;
* dbMotion's inpatient electronic health records system, version 4.2, as an EHR Module, certified by the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology;
* Perceptive Software's ImageNow document imaging system, version 6.6, as an EHR Module, certified by the Drummond Group; and
* 4medica's Integrated Electronic Health Record, version 10.11, as an EHR Module, certified by CCHIT.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, August 12, 2011
"Complete EHR" certification means a product supports all ambulatory or inpatient meaningful use requirements. "Modular EHR" certification means an ancillary application meets one or more requirements. The newly certified products and the certifying entity are:
* Meridios' healthMATRIX 3.0 health registry application, as an EHR Module, certified by InfoGard Laboratories;
* dbMotion's inpatient electronic health records system, version 4.2, as an EHR Module, certified by the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology;
* Perceptive Software's ImageNow document imaging system, version 6.6, as an EHR Module, certified by the Drummond Group; and
* 4medica's Integrated Electronic Health Record, version 10.11, as an EHR Module, certified by CCHIT.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, August 12, 2011
Payer, Provider, Vendors Team for MU
Blues plan Highmark Inc., delivery system West Penn Allegheny Health System, vendor Allscripts and consultancy Accenture have created a package of services to assist physicians in Western Pennsylvania to become meaningful users of electronic health records.
West Penn Allegheny is upgrading the Allscripts' MyWay practice management/EHR software used by its 600 employed physicians to the meaningful use-certified version. It also will offer the certified software to 1,200 affiliated physicians, along with consulting services from Accenture. The delivery system's five hospitals are using or will migrate to Allscripts' Eclipsys hospital clinical information system.
Highmark will use its databases to help identify and channel resources to independent physicians to assist in meeting meaningful use and its own incentive programs.
The MyWay software will be locally hosted, but whether Allscripts or West Penn does the hosting has not been determined. The packaged services do not include explicit discounts for the software for affiliated physicians, but West Penn anticipates making the technology available in volume may reduce costs.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, August 11, 2011
West Penn Allegheny is upgrading the Allscripts' MyWay practice management/EHR software used by its 600 employed physicians to the meaningful use-certified version. It also will offer the certified software to 1,200 affiliated physicians, along with consulting services from Accenture. The delivery system's five hospitals are using or will migrate to Allscripts' Eclipsys hospital clinical information system.
Highmark will use its databases to help identify and channel resources to independent physicians to assist in meeting meaningful use and its own incentive programs.
The MyWay software will be locally hosted, but whether Allscripts or West Penn does the hosting has not been determined. The packaged services do not include explicit discounts for the software for affiliated physicians, but West Penn anticipates making the technology available in volume may reduce costs.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, August 11, 2011
Four More EHRs Certified for Meaningful Use Support
Four vendors in recent days have announced specific versions of their products meet some or all Stage 1 meaningful use requirements. They include:
* Philips OB TraceVue obstetrical information system, Version G.00.20, as an EHR Module, from the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology;
* Sage Healthcare's Intergy v7.00, as an ambulatory complete EHR, from Drummond Group;
* Press Ganey's Quality Performer-Hospital eMeasures v1 clinical quality reporting application, as an EHR Module, from Drummond Group; and
* The drchrono iPad EHR, version 9.0, as an ambulatory Complete EHR from InfoGard Laboratories.
Click here for the federal government's official lists of meaningful use-certified products.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, August 1, 2011
* Philips OB TraceVue obstetrical information system, Version G.00.20, as an EHR Module, from the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology;
* Sage Healthcare's Intergy v7.00, as an ambulatory complete EHR, from Drummond Group;
* Press Ganey's Quality Performer-Hospital eMeasures v1 clinical quality reporting application, as an EHR Module, from Drummond Group; and
* The drchrono iPad EHR, version 9.0, as an ambulatory Complete EHR from InfoGard Laboratories.
Click here for the federal government's official lists of meaningful use-certified products.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, August 1, 2011
Beacon Communities to Get More Help
The HITECH Act has funded 17 "Beacon Communities" across the nation to serve as pilot sites for comprehensive use of health information technology. Now, a new initiative is designed to accelerate the documentation and dissemination of results and lessons learned in these communities.
The Office of the National coordinator for Health Information Technology has joined with AcademyHealth and the Commonwealth Fund to create the Beacon Evidence and Innovation Network. AcademyHealth is a professional society for health services researchers and health policy analysts. The Commonwealth Fund provides grants for initiatives that improve health care practice and policy.
The new initiative will focus on building the evidence base of the role of health I.T. in improving the performance of the health care system. The goals are to:
* Bring in external experts to work with evaluators within Beacon Communities to address research challenges and maximize dissemination opportunities;
* Bring together community leaders and experts to discuss such issues as reducing hospital readmissions, measuring provider performance using multiple data sources and optimizing electronic health records use in physician practices; and
* Disseminate lessons learned, promising strategies and early trends through development of issue briefs, white papers and case studies.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, July 28, 2011
For more information on the Beacon Evidence and Innovation Network (BEIN) click here.
The Office of the National coordinator for Health Information Technology has joined with AcademyHealth and the Commonwealth Fund to create the Beacon Evidence and Innovation Network. AcademyHealth is a professional society for health services researchers and health policy analysts. The Commonwealth Fund provides grants for initiatives that improve health care practice and policy.
The new initiative will focus on building the evidence base of the role of health I.T. in improving the performance of the health care system. The goals are to:
* Bring in external experts to work with evaluators within Beacon Communities to address research challenges and maximize dissemination opportunities;
* Bring together community leaders and experts to discuss such issues as reducing hospital readmissions, measuring provider performance using multiple data sources and optimizing electronic health records use in physician practices; and
* Disseminate lessons learned, promising strategies and early trends through development of issue briefs, white papers and case studies.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, July 28, 2011
For more information on the Beacon Evidence and Innovation Network (BEIN) click here.
Patients Still Wary About EHRs
Everyone from President Obama on down has been publicly preaching the benefits of electronic records. However, a recent survey from Xerox Corp. suggests consumers aren’t exactly enthralled by the move to digital health. Following are key findings from the survey, conducted by Harris Interactive.
The online survey, conducted May 5-9, polled 2,720 adult U.S. citizens on their impressions of the conversion of paper medical records to digital formats. This is the second annual survey from Xerox and conducted by Harris Interactive about EHR perceptions.
Perceptions of Digital Conversion
QUESTION: Which of the following, if any, are true for you in terms of your opinion on converting paper medical records into digital records? (All that apply).
E-records mean better, more efficient care. 42%
I think it's necessary. 37%
I want my medical records to be digital. 28%
It seems like a huge undertaking that will be riddled with problems before it works well. 26%
It frightens me. 12%
It excites me. 9%
Security Tops Concerns
QUESTION: Which of the following, if any, concern you about digital medical records? (All that apply).
Could be stolen by a computer hacker. 65%
My personal information could be misused. 52%
Digital medical records/files could be lost, damaged or corrupted. 52%
A power outage or computer problem could prevent doctors/medical professionals from accessing my information. 52%
Patients Have the Least to Gain
QUESTION: In your opinion, which group has the least to gain from converting paper medical records into digital records?
Patients 23%
Federal government 9%
Health insurance companies 3%
Healthcare Professionals 2%
Few Conversations About EHRs
QUESTION: Has your healthcare provider/institution involved you in converting your paper medical records into digital records (e.g., talked to you about/asked you to sign consent forms to convert your paper records to electronic records)?
No 82%
Yes 18%
Health Data Management
The online survey, conducted May 5-9, polled 2,720 adult U.S. citizens on their impressions of the conversion of paper medical records to digital formats. This is the second annual survey from Xerox and conducted by Harris Interactive about EHR perceptions.
Perceptions of Digital Conversion
QUESTION: Which of the following, if any, are true for you in terms of your opinion on converting paper medical records into digital records? (All that apply).
E-records mean better, more efficient care. 42%
I think it's necessary. 37%
I want my medical records to be digital. 28%
It seems like a huge undertaking that will be riddled with problems before it works well. 26%
It frightens me. 12%
It excites me. 9%
Security Tops Concerns
QUESTION: Which of the following, if any, concern you about digital medical records? (All that apply).
Could be stolen by a computer hacker. 65%
My personal information could be misused. 52%
Digital medical records/files could be lost, damaged or corrupted. 52%
A power outage or computer problem could prevent doctors/medical professionals from accessing my information. 52%
Patients Have the Least to Gain
QUESTION: In your opinion, which group has the least to gain from converting paper medical records into digital records?
Patients 23%
Federal government 9%
Health insurance companies 3%
Healthcare Professionals 2%
Few Conversations About EHRs
QUESTION: Has your healthcare provider/institution involved you in converting your paper medical records into digital records (e.g., talked to you about/asked you to sign consent forms to convert your paper records to electronic records)?
No 82%
Yes 18%
Health Data Management
Medical Societies Seek Medicare e-Prescribing Changes
In its proposed rule making changes to the Medicare electronic prescribing incentive program, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is not giving physicians enough time to understand and comply with "last minute modifications" before a 1 percent reimbursement penalty for non-compliance begins in 2012, according to the American Medical Association and 91 other medical societies.
Consequently, the organizations in a comment letter to CMS advocate delaying imposition of penalties until 2013 for physicians facing a 2012 penalty. Further, "We strongly urge CMS to establish an additional reporting period in 2012 (e.g., January 1, 2012-June 30, 2012), so that physicians have an additional opportunity to successfully e-prescribe to avoid the 2012 eRx penalty."
CMS in 2010 ruled that physicians could not participate in both the Medicare eRx incentive program and the Medicare EHR meaningful use program, but has since reversed course. But another reporting period is necessary because Medicare's educational campaign for eRx in 2010 "was extremely misleading" because many physicians still believe they can't participate in both programs, according to the medical societies. "Despite our efforts to reach and educate every physician who may be adversely affected by the Medicare eRx penalty program, more needs to be done to educate physicians, especially now on the proposed modifications to the eRx penalty program."
Applying a 1 percent Medicare payment cut to physicians who do not successfully report in the eRx program would be unworkable in its current form because CMS has said it will not publish separate payment schedules and limiting charges reflecting application of the penalty, the societies contend. "The only way physicians would know what their reduced allowed charges and their patients' co-payments would be is by waiting for the remittance advice from Medicare. This would seriously complicate what is already likely to be a logistical nightmare, leading thousands of physicians to think that Medicare is paying them incorrectly and thousands of patients being charged incorrectly. As you know, many physicians collect co-payments at the time of service and it would add greatly to their costs if they had to change to billing for them weeks later after the remittance advice is received. At a time when everyone is looking for more transparency in patient cost-sharing, this is a major step backwards."
As a solution, the societies note that CMS presently pays eRx incentives following the conclusion of the reporting period. "We urge CMS to apply this same protocol for the eRx penalty program by only requiring physicians who are subject to 2012 penalties to replay the amount owed after the calendar year 2012 reporting period has concluded."
The medical societies also ask for inclusion of four additional eRx exemption categories:
* The physician is registered to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid EHR incentive programs and has adopted certified EHR technology;
* The physician is unable to e-prescribe because of local, state or federal regulation;
* The physician prescribes less than 10 prescriptions between Jan. 1, 2011, and June 30, 2011; and
* There are insufficient opportunities to report the eRx measure because of program limitations, such as a surgeon who does not frequently use permissible service codes under the program.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, July 26, 2011
Consequently, the organizations in a comment letter to CMS advocate delaying imposition of penalties until 2013 for physicians facing a 2012 penalty. Further, "We strongly urge CMS to establish an additional reporting period in 2012 (e.g., January 1, 2012-June 30, 2012), so that physicians have an additional opportunity to successfully e-prescribe to avoid the 2012 eRx penalty."
CMS in 2010 ruled that physicians could not participate in both the Medicare eRx incentive program and the Medicare EHR meaningful use program, but has since reversed course. But another reporting period is necessary because Medicare's educational campaign for eRx in 2010 "was extremely misleading" because many physicians still believe they can't participate in both programs, according to the medical societies. "Despite our efforts to reach and educate every physician who may be adversely affected by the Medicare eRx penalty program, more needs to be done to educate physicians, especially now on the proposed modifications to the eRx penalty program."
Applying a 1 percent Medicare payment cut to physicians who do not successfully report in the eRx program would be unworkable in its current form because CMS has said it will not publish separate payment schedules and limiting charges reflecting application of the penalty, the societies contend. "The only way physicians would know what their reduced allowed charges and their patients' co-payments would be is by waiting for the remittance advice from Medicare. This would seriously complicate what is already likely to be a logistical nightmare, leading thousands of physicians to think that Medicare is paying them incorrectly and thousands of patients being charged incorrectly. As you know, many physicians collect co-payments at the time of service and it would add greatly to their costs if they had to change to billing for them weeks later after the remittance advice is received. At a time when everyone is looking for more transparency in patient cost-sharing, this is a major step backwards."
As a solution, the societies note that CMS presently pays eRx incentives following the conclusion of the reporting period. "We urge CMS to apply this same protocol for the eRx penalty program by only requiring physicians who are subject to 2012 penalties to replay the amount owed after the calendar year 2012 reporting period has concluded."
The medical societies also ask for inclusion of four additional eRx exemption categories:
* The physician is registered to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid EHR incentive programs and has adopted certified EHR technology;
* The physician is unable to e-prescribe because of local, state or federal regulation;
* The physician prescribes less than 10 prescriptions between Jan. 1, 2011, and June 30, 2011; and
* There are insufficient opportunities to report the eRx measure because of program limitations, such as a surgeon who does not frequently use permissible service codes under the program.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, July 26, 2011
EHR Meaningful Use Certifiers Remain Busy
Four more specific electronic health records products have received federally deemed certification of meeting Stage 1 meaningful use criteria.
"Complete EHR" certification means a product supports all ambulatory or inpatient meaningful use requirements. "Modular EHR" certification means an ancillary application meets one or more requirements. The newly certified products and the certifying entity are:
* Nightingale Informatix Corp.'s Nightingale On Demand V10.0, as an ambulatory Complete EHR, from the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology;
* Forerun Inc.'s Forerun ED 2001.02 emergency department information system, as an EHR Module, from CCHIT;
* Zotec Partners' Electronic Billing Center/Radiology Information System, version 6.7, as an EHR Module, from InfoGard Laboratories; and
* MedCPU's Meaningful Use Advisor, version 1.0, as an EHR Module, from Drummond Group.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, July 25, 2011
"Complete EHR" certification means a product supports all ambulatory or inpatient meaningful use requirements. "Modular EHR" certification means an ancillary application meets one or more requirements. The newly certified products and the certifying entity are:
* Nightingale Informatix Corp.'s Nightingale On Demand V10.0, as an ambulatory Complete EHR, from the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology;
* Forerun Inc.'s Forerun ED 2001.02 emergency department information system, as an EHR Module, from CCHIT;
* Zotec Partners' Electronic Billing Center/Radiology Information System, version 6.7, as an EHR Module, from InfoGard Laboratories; and
* MedCPU's Meaningful Use Advisor, version 1.0, as an EHR Module, from Drummond Group.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, July 25, 2011
Ambulatory EMR Market Snapshot
For its report, KLAS surveyed 394 provider organizations involved in EMR purchasing decisions to get their perceptions of the market and an understanding of what data they’re basing their purchasing decisions on. Overall, 35% of the providers interviewed are replacing their existing EMR, and that percentage increases as practice size increases: more than 40% of 100+ physicians practices are looking for a new solution.
No Middle Ground on Practice Management
KLAS found that practice management systems either provide an entry for a vendor’s further sales or decreases the chance because of negative experiences. Rarely is it neutral. The report found AdvancedMD and PCC were the best at retaining PM clients for EMR sales.
100+ Physician Groups Scrutinizing the EMR Market
In large physician practices, 43% of EMR purchases are new and 43% are replacement. Fifty percent of the practices cited integration issues with hospital and PM systems as their primary reason for replacing an EMR. The report found Epic is the front-runner in this segment.
26–100 Physician Groups Missing Something
Thirty percent of practices in this size range are replacing their systems because of missing functionality. Fifty-two percent are buying new EMRs, and the lion’s share of these groups (67%), are purchasing client-server solutions. As with larger practices, the report found Epic is ahead of the competition for this segment.
6–25 Physician Groups Worried About Meaningful Use
Sixty-one percent are buying their first EMR, and 35% are replacing an existing one. Approximately 20% of practices surveyed in this segment are replacing their EMR either because the vendor is slow to update or from concern over meaningful use certification. NextGen was pegged as the leading vendor in this arena.
Small Practices Considering Options
Sixty-nine percent of groups with 1-5 physicians are considering vendors that are regional, specialty niche, start-up, or other various qualities, much higher than other group segments. Sixty-seven percent of small groups are purchasing EMRs for the first time. KLAS found Allscripts to be the leading vendor in the small practice market.
Don’t Know Much About HIE
Even though a key component of the meaningful use incentive program is exchanging data with other community caregivers, KLAS found that 71% of respondents said they either have no health information exchange strategy or are looking to their vendor for a solution. Further, most providers had little to no awareness of the requirement, nor thoughts on how this would happen or the costs involved.
Health Data Management
No Middle Ground on Practice Management
KLAS found that practice management systems either provide an entry for a vendor’s further sales or decreases the chance because of negative experiences. Rarely is it neutral. The report found AdvancedMD and PCC were the best at retaining PM clients for EMR sales.
100+ Physician Groups Scrutinizing the EMR Market
In large physician practices, 43% of EMR purchases are new and 43% are replacement. Fifty percent of the practices cited integration issues with hospital and PM systems as their primary reason for replacing an EMR. The report found Epic is the front-runner in this segment.
26–100 Physician Groups Missing Something
Thirty percent of practices in this size range are replacing their systems because of missing functionality. Fifty-two percent are buying new EMRs, and the lion’s share of these groups (67%), are purchasing client-server solutions. As with larger practices, the report found Epic is ahead of the competition for this segment.
6–25 Physician Groups Worried About Meaningful Use
Sixty-one percent are buying their first EMR, and 35% are replacing an existing one. Approximately 20% of practices surveyed in this segment are replacing their EMR either because the vendor is slow to update or from concern over meaningful use certification. NextGen was pegged as the leading vendor in this arena.
Small Practices Considering Options
Sixty-nine percent of groups with 1-5 physicians are considering vendors that are regional, specialty niche, start-up, or other various qualities, much higher than other group segments. Sixty-seven percent of small groups are purchasing EMRs for the first time. KLAS found Allscripts to be the leading vendor in the small practice market.
Don’t Know Much About HIE
Even though a key component of the meaningful use incentive program is exchanging data with other community caregivers, KLAS found that 71% of respondents said they either have no health information exchange strategy or are looking to their vendor for a solution. Further, most providers had little to no awareness of the requirement, nor thoughts on how this would happen or the costs involved.
Health Data Management
More EHRs Join the MU Certification Roster
Six electronic health records vendors in recent days have announced certification of specific versions of their products as meeting Stage 1 meaningful use criteria.
"Complete EHR" certification means a product supports all ambulatory or inpatient meaningful use requirements. "Modular EHR" certification means an ancillary application meets one or more requirements. The newly certified products and the certifying entity are:
* Orion Health's Rhapsody Integration Engine and Rhapsody Connect connectivity software, versions 4.1, as EHR Modules by ICSA Laboratories;
* Infor-Med Corp.'s Praxis EMR version 5, as an ambulatory Complete EHR by Drummond Group;
* Netsmart Technologies' Insight 7.1 public health EHR, as an ambulatory Complete EHR by Drummond Group;
* Varian Medical Systems' Aria for radiation oncology, version 11, as an ambulatory Complete EHR by Drummond Group;
* MindLinc-Duke's EHR for behavioral health, version 12, as an ambulatory Complete EHR by Drummond Group; and
* Health Management Associates' PULSE, version 11.1, as an EHR Module by the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, July 20, 2011
To view the entire list of certified EHR products click here.
"Complete EHR" certification means a product supports all ambulatory or inpatient meaningful use requirements. "Modular EHR" certification means an ancillary application meets one or more requirements. The newly certified products and the certifying entity are:
* Orion Health's Rhapsody Integration Engine and Rhapsody Connect connectivity software, versions 4.1, as EHR Modules by ICSA Laboratories;
* Infor-Med Corp.'s Praxis EMR version 5, as an ambulatory Complete EHR by Drummond Group;
* Netsmart Technologies' Insight 7.1 public health EHR, as an ambulatory Complete EHR by Drummond Group;
* Varian Medical Systems' Aria for radiation oncology, version 11, as an ambulatory Complete EHR by Drummond Group;
* MindLinc-Duke's EHR for behavioral health, version 12, as an ambulatory Complete EHR by Drummond Group; and
* Health Management Associates' PULSE, version 11.1, as an EHR Module by the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, July 20, 2011
To view the entire list of certified EHR products click here.
Meaningful Use Certified Product List Grows by Five
Iatric Systems Inc. has received its 9th, 10th and 11th certifications for electronic health records products that support one or more meaningful use criteria and two other vendors' products also received certification.
Iatric's latest products certified by the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology are IatriCare OrderEase version 1, Meaningful Use Manager version 2 and IIM Public Health Reportable Lab Results version 1.5, all as EHR Modules.
SRSsoft, vendor of a hybrid electronic health records system that includes extensive use of document imaging and management software, has received Complete EHR certification of version 8.2 from the Drummond Group.
Recombinant Data Corp.'s Selectrus Meaningful Use Registry version 1.0 has received CCHIT certification as an EHR Module meeting eight technical requirements and nine clinical quality measures.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, July 15, 2011
Iatric's latest products certified by the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology are IatriCare OrderEase version 1, Meaningful Use Manager version 2 and IIM Public Health Reportable Lab Results version 1.5, all as EHR Modules.
SRSsoft, vendor of a hybrid electronic health records system that includes extensive use of document imaging and management software, has received Complete EHR certification of version 8.2 from the Drummond Group.
Recombinant Data Corp.'s Selectrus Meaningful Use Registry version 1.0 has received CCHIT certification as an EHR Module meeting eight technical requirements and nine clinical quality measures.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, July 15, 2011
Four More States Live on Medicaid Meaningful Use
Arizona, Connecticut, Rhode Island and West Virginia have joined 17 other states in going live with their Medicaid electronic health records meaningful use incentive programs. Click on a state's hyperlink to get to its meaningful use web site.
Other states with programs in operation include Alabama, Alaska, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
Most states plan to roll out their Medicaid MU programs during 2011; some are likely to not be ready until early 2012.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, July 11, 2011
Other states with programs in operation include Alabama, Alaska, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
Most states plan to roll out their Medicaid MU programs during 2011; some are likely to not be ready until early 2012.
Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, July 11, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
ONC: We Agree to Stage 2 Meaningful Use Delay
Farzad Mostashari, M.D., national coordinator for health information technology, has announced his support for delaying Stage 2 of electronic health records meaningful use by one year to 2014 for providers who attest to Stage 1 in 2011.
The HIT Policy Committee, which advises ONC, recently recommended the delay. The rationale is that Stage 1 pioneers who attest in 2011 should not be penalized by tight timeframes next summer for getting ready for Stage 2, which starts in fiscal 2013 on Oct. 1, 2012 (see story).
"We agree with the logic of delaying the start of Stage 2 for a period of one year for those attesting in 2011," Mostashari told the policy committee during its July 6 meeting in Washington. The delay, he added, would give adequate time after early attesters complete Stage 1 to prepare for a more "robust" set of Stage 2 criteria.
-- Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, July 6, 2011
The HIT Policy Committee, which advises ONC, recently recommended the delay. The rationale is that Stage 1 pioneers who attest in 2011 should not be penalized by tight timeframes next summer for getting ready for Stage 2, which starts in fiscal 2013 on Oct. 1, 2012 (see story).
"We agree with the logic of delaying the start of Stage 2 for a period of one year for those attesting in 2011," Mostashari told the policy committee during its July 6 meeting in Washington. The delay, he added, would give adequate time after early attesters complete Stage 1 to prepare for a more "robust" set of Stage 2 criteria.
-- Joseph Goedert
HDM Breaking News, July 6, 2011
CMS Education Targets Meaningful Use, Patient Safety
HDM Breaking News, June 30, 2011
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced new educational initiatives covering meaningful use of electronic health records and the new $500 million Partnership for Patients campaign to increase the safety of care.
The EHR Learning Center of Medscape now offers curricula where providers can earn continuing medical education credits while learning about the particulars of the meaningful use programs, stages of meaningful use, important dates and benefits to patients. Free registration and additional information are available here.
The CMS Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation on July 6 will host the second in a series of free Web seminars on patient safety under the Partnership for Patients initiative. The seminar will focus on reducing readmissions resulting from complications during a transition of care. Speakers include Mary Naylor, R.N., professor of gerontology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing; and Eric Coleman, M.D., CMO at University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. More information, registration and a list of topics for upcoming seminars are available here.
-- Joseph Goedert
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced new educational initiatives covering meaningful use of electronic health records and the new $500 million Partnership for Patients campaign to increase the safety of care.
The EHR Learning Center of Medscape now offers curricula where providers can earn continuing medical education credits while learning about the particulars of the meaningful use programs, stages of meaningful use, important dates and benefits to patients. Free registration and additional information are available here.
The CMS Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation on July 6 will host the second in a series of free Web seminars on patient safety under the Partnership for Patients initiative. The seminar will focus on reducing readmissions resulting from complications during a transition of care. Speakers include Mary Naylor, R.N., professor of gerontology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing; and Eric Coleman, M.D., CMO at University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. More information, registration and a list of topics for upcoming seminars are available here.
-- Joseph Goedert
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
