Health IT

Healthcare information (HIT) systems are designed to connect all the elements together for patient data, reports, medical imaging, billing, electronic medical record (EMR), hospital information system (HIS), PACS, cardiology information systems (CVIS)enterprise image systemsartificial intelligence (AI) applications, analytics, patient monitors, remote monitoring systems, inventory management, the hospital internet of things (IOT), cloud or onsite archive/storage, and cybersecurity.

Providers and vendors: Simplify EHR certification, advance interoperability

The need to improve EHR usability, advance interoperability and both simplify and slow down the timeline when it comes to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT’s certification and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid's Meaningful Use program all emerged as major themes during provider and vendor panel discussions held by the Health IT Policy Committee certification & adoption workgroup on May 7. Also, many expressed concern that IT resources dedicated to EHR certification and MU hindered innovation efforts.

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$4.8M HIPAA fine sets new record

The Department of Health and Human Services has laid down the gauntlet when it comes to security of patient data. New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center together have agreed to pay a record-breaking $4.8 million to settle alleged HIPAA violations after the electronic protected health information of 6,800 patients wound up on Google in 2010.

AHA: 6 in 10 hospitals exchange data to outside providers

More than six in 10 hospitals electronically exchange health information with outside providers, according to the American Hospital Association’s annual health IT survey, which was published online by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. This represents a 51 percent increase since 2008.

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HITPC: The thinking behind the proposed rule for 2015 edition CEHRT

The Certification & Adoption Workgroup shared much of its reasoning behind the proposed rule for the 2015 Edition of EHR technology certification criteria which was published in February. The Department of Health & Human Services accepted public comments until April 28.

HITPC endorses two measures for LTPAC and BH EHR certification

The Health IT Policy Committee (HITPC) endorsed voluntary certification criteria governing transitions of care and privacy and security for long term and post-acute care and behavioral health providers during its meeting on May 6.

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HITPC talks exchange of behavioral health, sensitive data

New technologies to facilitate the exchange of behavioral health data while ensuring that privacy and security protections are maintained were explored during the Health IT Policy Committee on May 6.

HITPC: ONC provides update on MU, including exceptions

The rate of health IT adoption among U.S. hospitals has more than doubled over the past two years and over 9 in 10 hospitals possess certified EHR technology, according to Jennifer King, PhD, researcher with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT.

Settlement requires R.I. HIE to boost transparency

Rhode Island’s health information exchange, CurrentCare, must offer more transparency and develop more protections for patient privacy, according to a settlement agreement reached between the Rhode Island Department of Public Health and the Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Around the web

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.