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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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.

Algorithms ‘highly accurate’ when using EHRs to predict mortality for chemo patients

Machine learning algorithms that use electronic health record (EHR) data can accurately predict 30-day mortality among patients beginning chemotherapy, according to research in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Want radiologists on board for EMR switch? Ask them for input

What if an organization wanted to switch its electronic medical record (EMR) without first consulting radiologists who would frequently use it? As expected, those folks might not be too thrilled.

Cass Regional Medical Center restarts EHR system after ransomware attack

Missouri-based Cass Regional Medical Center brought its electronic health record (EHR) system back online after a July 9 ransomware attack. The IT department engaged in a complete shut down for 10 days until it could confirm the threat had been investigated and systems were improved.

Around the web

U.S. cardiology groups have worked together to propose the creation of a new American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine for certifying cardiologists. Now, after many months of waiting, a final decision is expected by the end of February. 

GE HealthCare said the price of iodine contrast increased by more than 200% between 2017 to 2023. Will new Chinese tariffs drive costs even higher?

American College of Cardiology President Cathie Biga, MSN, says Medicare payment reform remains a top priority going forward. Site-neutral payments and improved access to PAD screening are two other issues close to the ACC's heart.