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. 

HIMSS awards Lucile Packard, Stanford Children's with Stage 7

HIMSS Analytics has awarded Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford and Stanford Children’s Health in Palo Alto, Calif., with a Stage 7 Acute Care Award, and all 167 of their network practices with Stage 7 Ambulatory Awards. 

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MU fight continues

In the health IT headlines this week was yet another effort to refocus the Meaningful Use program.

EHR errors' role in medical malpractice lawsuits growing

More and more medical malpractice lawsuits are hinging on errors found within EHRs. 

AMA leads coalition fighting MU

Medical associations are continuing their fight against Meaningful Use (MU), citing the poor rate of success with Stage 2.  

AMA, MedStar framework spotlights EHR usability

The American Medical Association and MedStar Health’s National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare have developed a comparative EHR User-Centered Design Evaluation Framework to promote transparency around how EHRs are designed and user-tested.

Cerner, Truman Medical Centers partner for HIT innovation

Cerner is teaming up with Truman Medical Centers to pilot innovations using progressive health IT. 

Three upgrades needed for future EHRs

The next generation of EHRs require three major improvements, according to a paper published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR).

Athenahealth campaign demands better EHRs

Athenahealth has launched its "Let Doctors Be Doctors" campaign—an effort to get physicians to speak up about their frustrations using EHRs.

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."