Minneapolis-based Allina Health System is notifying more than 6,100 patients that documents containing their personal information, rather than hitting the shredder, were thrown away in the trash. 

It's a lot less than other recent settlements but the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) is the latest provider to settle HIPAA enforcement action brought by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

According to a new survey published in the American Journal of Managed Care, nearly one-third of patients who sent electronic messages said it improved their health, and more than one-third said it led to less office phone calls and in-person visits.

Despite the increase in EHR adoption, more than half of patients cannot access their full health records electronically, according to a HealthMine survey.

Professional associations have voiced their support for the 2016 Omnibus spending package, which includes language seeking to improve information sharing about and protection against cyber threats. 

The 17 Beacon Community programs established across the country have made mixed progress  when it comes to health IT use and quality measures, according to a new report funded by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. 

2015 has been a dismal year for security in healthcare, former White House security Czar Richard Clarke said at the Privacy and Security Forum, and a review of the headlines make it clear he was right.

Meaningful Use is a significant component of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) but both will fail without substantial changes, according to the American College of Physicians in its comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services about the MU Stage 3 final rule.