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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VA exec leading Cerner EHR project steps down

Genevieve Morris, chief health information officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of EHR Modernization, announced her resignation Aug. 24.

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ONC requests information on 21st Century Cures EHR reporting program

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is seeking information on the 21st Century Cures Act's Electronic Health Record (EHR) Reporting Program in an effort to fully implement the statute.

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Report suggests cell phones, smartphone apps could improve record matching

Cell phones and smartphone apps may be the solution when it comes to matching medical records to patients correctly, according to a report by the RAND Corporation.

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Cerner to take over IT department at Texas hospital

An agreement for Cerner to take over the information technology department at a Texas hospital was approved last week, according to a report by the Odessa American.

EMR system, heavy workload linked to troubles at Central Maine Healthcare

A hospital system in Maine is having trouble retaining staff members—and its electronic medical records (EMR) system is partially to blame.

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EHR market nears $32B, expected to top $40B by 2022

The electronic health records (EHR) market is expected to be a nearly $40 billion industry by 2022.

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Report: Informal 'Mar-a-Lago Crowd' runs VA, questioned $16B Cerner EHR deal

On Tuesday, Aug. 7, ProPublica published an exposé that claims three friends of President Donald Trump—dubbed the Mar-a-Lago Crowd because they frequent the president’s Florida golf club—are secretly running the show at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Northwestern Medicine lays off 60 IT workers after EHR system launch

About 60 information technology employees have been laid off by Northwestern Medicine after helping create a new electronic health records (EHR) platform, according to a report by the Chicago Tribune.

Around the web

HHS has thought through the ways AI can and should become an integral part of healthcare, human services and public health. Last Friday—possibly just days ahead of seating a new secretary—the agency released a detailed plan for getting there from here.

Philips is recalling the software associated with its Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry devices after certain high-risk ECG events were never routed to trained cardiology technicians as intended. The issue, which lasted for two years, has been linked to more than 100 injuries. 

Heart Rhythm Society President Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD, detailed a new advocacy group focused on improving EP reimbursements, patient care and access. “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu," he said.