Three Boston-area community hospitals are investigating potential breach of patient confidentiality by an external, independent billing agency, which led to thousands of unshredded patient records being exposed in a landfill.

Final meaningful use rules that relax criteria slightly for EMRs reflect a more realistic approach given the slow adoption rates of EMRs among physicians over the past few years, according to a report from healthcare research firm Kalorama Information.

Access to and correct usage of patient EHRs\EMRs provide major benefits to patients and physicians alike, according to the newly adopted American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) position statement on EHRs\EMRs.

Funding incentives for EHR use is the main goal of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) meaningful use initiative, and there are incentive programs for both hospitals and eligible professionals, according to Elizabeth Holland, health insurance specialist at the Department of Health and Human Services, who spoke during a CMS-sponsored webinar Aug. 8.

Eclipsys has logged a solid second quarter, which ended June 30, with quarterly revenues of $134.4 million, compared to $129.8 million for the second quarter of 2009.

Oncology and neurosurgery technology company Elekta has received Surescripts certification for its MOSAIQ oncology information system.

Aetna, through its provider contracting process, will offer financial incentives to physicians who achieve specific quality of care goals and who make investments in technology for implementation of an EHR.

Health IT company Encore Health Resources inaugurated its EHRight tool this month to help hospitals meet federal requirements for the meaningful use of EHRs.