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. 

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Beth Israel Deaconess, athenahealth both bullish on the cloud

Athenahealth's acquisition of the web-based EHR developed at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston fills a gaping hole in the vendor’s product line and helps the Harvard University-affiliated health system move its own IT operation forward.

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BIDMC sells inpatient EHR to Athenahealth

Just weeks after officially entering the hospital EHR market with the purchase of a small vendor serving rural, community and critical access hospitals, athenahealth is taking the full plunge, acquiring the EHR technology of a major academic medical center.

Cerner completes Siemens acquisition

EHR vendor Cerner has completed its $1.3 billion acquisition of Siemens Health Services (SHS), the U.S.-based health IT division of German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG, the purchaser announced Monday.

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Patient Data Matching

Meaningful Use has led the country to a dramatic increase in EHR adoption and the focus on information exchange makes the accurate linkage of patients with their health information more important and more complex than ever.

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CMS caves to pressure: Considering 90-day reporting period

After multiple requests from a range of established organizations and newly created coalitions to relieve the burden of Meaningful Use, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced its intent to engage in rulemaking to update the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs beginning in 2015.

Rural providers face unique MU challenges

Providers in rural areas with small practices and fewer resources might not be able to sustain the meaningful use of EHRs, according to a study published in the Annals of Family Medicine.

Georgia Regional Academic Community Health Information Exchange finds growth

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jan. 27, 2015 — The organization connecting Electronic Health Records (EHRs) for nearly one million patients at 11 different health care facilities in Georgia, is growing. In the past six months, the number of data sources providing information through the GRAChIE network has grown by 450 percent.

University Medical Center taps Cerner To further align EHR teams at multiple V=venues

UMC, Cerner announce 10-year extended and enhanced relationship to align EHR and Clinical IT teams at UMC, Texas Tech Physicians of Lubbock and UMC Physicians Network Services.

Around the web

Compensation for heart specialists continues to climb. What does this say about cardiology as a whole? Could private equity's rising influence bring about change? We spoke to MedAxiom CEO Jerry Blackwell, MD, MBA, a veteran cardiologist himself, to learn more.

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.”