BOSTON--Individuals are willing to donate data, but assert that ownership of such data ultimately lies with them, said Kevin Patrick, MD, professor of family and preventive medicine at the University of California, San Diego, at Strata Rx 2013. Researchers also consider these self-reported data as reliable and dependable, he said.

BOSTON—“We don’t have big data, but gazillions of pods of little data,” said Marcia Kean, Feinstein Kean Healthcare, at Strata Rx 2013 on Sept. 26. However, data liquidity—or the rapid, seamless and secure exchange of useful, standards-based information among authorized individuals and institutional senders—is poised to significantly advance biomedical research, she said.

A new independent nonprofit organization has been established to drive rapid, widespread and sustained interoperabiity of medical technology to improve patient safety and lower healthcare costs.

The clinical practice developments this month include a final rule establishing a unique device identification (UDI) system for medical devices, the first neonatal telemedicine program, a report on patient-centered medical homes and updates on Beacon communities.

Greenway Medical Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: GWAY) today announced a definitive agreement which will result in the combination of the businesses of Greenway and Vitera Healthcare Solutions, LLC. The transaction will create a leader in healthcare information technology and services, offering a comprehensive set of solutions to improve clinical and financial outcomes in healthcare enterprises, ambulatory practices, public health, retail and other clinics nationwide. Following the closing of the transaction, the Vitera and Greenway businesses will serve nearly 13,000 medical organizations and 100,000 providers.

Organizations do not spend adequate time on coordination of care, said Tracy Christopherson, director of interprofessional practice, Elsevier, clinical solutions / CPM, during a Sept. 23 National eHealth Collaborative webinar.

The American College of Physicians launched a web-based clinical decision support tool containing 500 modules that provide guidance and information on a broad range of diseases and conditions.

The FDA has finally issued long-awaited final guidance for mobile health applications.