U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Sept. 2 that Cincinnati and Detroit are the two final pilot communities selected under the new Beacon Community Program that is using health IT to help tackle leading health problems in communities across the U.S.

UnitedHealth Group will invest $10 million to help Californias critical access hospitals improve their health IT systems and adopt EHRs.

Maines HealthInfoNet has selected Orion Health as the primary technology provider for its statewide health information exchange (HIE).

Greenway Medical Technologies has added four health information exchange (HIE) programs, independent physician associations (IPAs) and regional medical centers to its client roster using PrimeSuite, the companys EHR practice management and interoperability system, to connect group practices using clinical, financial and administrative functions.

The number of patient visits accommodated by the radiographic fluoroscopy (RF) departments increased at a rate of 3.5 percent per year between 2004 to 2009, while the total RF installed base declined at a rate of 2 to 3 percent per year over the past decade, according to a report issued by market research firm IMV Medical Information Division.

Weno Healthcare has submitted its application to become an Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) authorized certification and testing body (ATCB) in an effort to increase overall adoption for certified EHR technology.

The Certification Commission for Health IT (CCHIT) has been recognized by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT as an Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB) under the initial certification program created to certify that EHRs are capable of meeting the criteria to support meaningful use and qualify eligible providers and hospitals for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The term innovation may date back to the 15th century, but it is very much alive and well in 2010 medicine. This change in the thought process for doing something, a new method for doing something or the useful application of new inventions or discoveries is at the heart of this months CMIO Health IT Innovation Awards.