EMR/EHR

Electronic medical records (EMR) are a digital version of a patient’s chart that store their personal information, medical history and links to prior exams, texts and reports. The goal of these systems is to enable immediate access to the patient's data electronically, rather than needing to request paper file folders that might be stored in fragment files at numerous locations where a patient is seen or treated. EMRs (also called electronic health records, or EHR) improve clinician and health system efficiency by making all this data immediately available. This helps reduce repeat tests, repeat prescriptions and repeat imaging exams because reports, imaging or other patient data is not not immediately available. 

Leapfrog Group expresses "grave concerns" over meaningful use

The Leapfrog Group has grave concerns over the final meaningful use rule because it omits system checks for computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems, the group said in a statement.

Webinar: Stage 1 of meaningful use is for quality reporting acclimation

Stage 1 requirements for meaningful use incentives aim to strike a balance between the overall goal of EHR use and widespread adoption, while avoiding added work, said Jonathan Teich, MD, PhD, chief medical informatics officer at Elsevier Health Services, during a HIMSS webinar titled Meaningful Use: Safety and Quality of Care.

Quest subsidiary offers interoperability for Intermountain Healthcare

Intermountain Healthcare, a nonprofit health system based in Salt Lake City, will employ enterprise-wide EHR technology from MedPlus, a subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics.

Bill introduced to assist multi-campus hospitals receive health IT incentives

Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., chair of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, joined Rep. Zack Space, D-Ohio, along with Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chair Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., and Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, in introducing the EHR Incentives for Multi-Campus Hospitals Act of 2010. The Act would ensure that multi-campus hospitals which adopt and use health IT systems that meet appropriate standards will receive incentive payments, taking into account the higher costs of implementation.

CCHIT gives Keane's EHR thumbs-up

Keane Optimum 3.1, Keanes EHR technology, has received preliminary EHR certification from the Certification Commission for Health IT (CCHIT).

Study: Digital tomo improves accuracy, lowers rad dose for pulmonary lesions

Digital tomosynthesis can improve diagnostic accuracy and confidence of suspected pulmonary lesions on chest radiography, according to a study published online June 30 in Academic Radiology.

Carestream's digital x-ray selected by Boston facility

Carestream Healths digital x-ray technology has been selected by Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston for use in its ambulatory care and outpatient facilities.

HIT Standards Committee: Meaningful use enters operations phase

The final rule for Stage 1 meaningful use has been published in the Federal Register, marking the end of just one part of the first cycle that is the first stage of meaningful use, said Karen Trudel, deputy director of the Office of E-Health Standards & Services at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, speaking at the July 27 meeting of the Health IT Standards Committee. Were moving away from a totally completely a policy development process to one that is a mixture of policy and operations, she said.

Around the web

The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals. 

As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said the clinical community needs to combat health misinformation at a grassroots level. He warned that patients are immersed in a "sea of misinformation without a compass."

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