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. 

Healthcare IT outsourcing expected to hit $60B in two years

The demands of data security, population health and value-based benefits solutions and revenue cycle modernization will drive the evolving payer IT outsourcing market to more than $60 billion by the end of 2017.

Centura Health recognized with HIMSS Davies Award

HIMSS North America has awarded Centura Health with a 2015 HIMSS Enterprise Davies Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement of organizations that have utilized health IT to substantially improve patient outcomes while achieving return on investment. 

EHR adoption up but small, rural hospitals lag behind

The rate of U.S. hospitals with at least a basic EHR has increased from 59 percent in 2013 to 75 percent this year, according to a study published in Health Affairs.

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CHIME: Streamline MU, add flexibility

Meaningful Use (MU) needs streamlining and a reduced reporting burden for provider through better aligned quality measures, said the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). 

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Government shares thought process behind final rules

It was another busy week for Clinical Innovation + Technology with reporting from HIMSS' Big Data & Healthcare Analytics Forum as well as the November meeting of the Health IT Policy Committee, which addressed the final rules for Meaningful Use Stage 3 and the Certified EHR 2015 Edition, and the committee's report to Congress on interoperability. 

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ONC shares thinking behind Certified EHR 2015 Edition rule

The Certified EHR 2015 Edition final rule is part of a wider effort to achieve better care, smarter spending and healthier people, said Elise Sweeney Anthony, senior policy analyst at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, speaking about the rule at the November Health IT Policy Committee.

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Halamka offers strategy to move beyond MU

Meaningful Use has served its purpose and it's time for a new plan, according to John Halamka, MD, CIO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, writing on his blog, Life as a Healthcare CIO.

CMS shares thought behind MU Stage 3 final rule

The November Health IT Policy Committee meeting included a discussion on the reasoning behind the Meaningful Use Stage 3 final rule.

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."