Web-based Electronic Medication Management Assistant has just been approved by the FDA





Depending on the price of the unit, software and possible interfaces with EHRs/PHRs, this could be a major boon for the management of medications at home of patients. SV


The EMMA™ Delivery Unit
The Electronic Medication Management Assistant (EMMA™) is a tool for enhancing the practice of Evidence Based Medicine in a home setting.

The EMMA delivery unit is placed in the patient's home, and it communicates wirelessly to the patient's electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR™) to get the latest dosing schedule for the patient.

The EMMA delivery unit manages everything for the patient from there. This unique medical device holds up to 10 prescriptions, totaling 300 individual doses of medication. If a patient requires more than 10 prescriptions, auxiliary units may be daisy chained together to form a single unit.

The EMMA delivery unit consists of four key components:

Easy loading. The EMMA delivery unit accepts a 6 x 9 Blister Card much like a CD is inserted into a Multi-CD Disk Player. Simply touch the load button on the touch screen monitor and the EMMA delivery unit opens its door. Then slip the Blister Card into the opening and the EMMA delivery unit grabs it, reads the bar code, counts the doses in the card, and verifies that it is the correct prescription for the patient.


Complete Medication Management. The EMMA delivery unit manages all of the patients medications, including:


Standard Prescriptions
PRN's
Titration of Medications
Custom Dosing Algorithms (such as with Warfarin therapy)
Reminders for OTC Medications (such as low dose aspirin)
Information Messages (such as the patient is taking a multiple vitamin).


Senior Friendly. The EMMA delivery unit is extremely easy to use. Its wireless communications makes it a plug-and-play device, requiring only a standard power outlet to operate.

Its large color touch screen makes it very simple for even the non-computer savvy person. INRange designed the EMMA delivery unit so that a patient can learn to use it in a matter of minutes. Its intuitive graphical user interface guides the patient through the process.


Feature Rich. The EMMA delivery unit is equipped with many features to enable the patient to live a more active life including the ability to receive a future medication delivery in case the patient wants to go out for dinner or will not be home for lunch. The EMMA delivery unit vacation function allows patients to sort and organize their medications.

2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Tool Kit is now available

Let us know how your practices are implementing PQRI with your EHRs. SV

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed a Tool Kit for the 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) that will assist eligible professionals with successful reporting. This Tool Kit consists of some existing educational resources plus new measure-specific worksheets designed to walk the user step-by-step through reporting for each measure.

The Tool Kit is now a featured section on the CMS PQRI web page. To access the Tool Kit, visit, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI, and scroll down to the PQRI Tool Kit tab. The page serves as a “Read This First” Guide to the resources that are available to download.

The Tool Kit consists of the following:

1. 2007 PQRI Physician Quality Measures

2. 2007 Coding for Quality Handbook

3. 2007 Code Master

4. MLN Matters Article 5640 - Coding & Reporting Principles

5. Data Collection Worksheets

The Tool Kit will be expanded as new educational resources become available.


Revisions to the final 2007 PQRI Measure Specifications

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announces revisions to the final 2007 PQRI Measure Specifications, Version 1.1 to provide certain technical corrections. Please visit the “Measures/Codes” page of the PQRI website at www.cms.hhs.gov/pqri for the updated measure specifications and release notes.


PQRI

CDPHP CHAMPIONS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS FOR THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY

CDPHP has set a standard by which other Managed Care Organizations can be measured for HIT initiatives. CDPHP has achieved high ranking nationally while sharing the fruits of its success with the physician community. The benchmarks set by CDPHP are reasonable and the encouragement of HIT application in the practice of medicine may have contributed to its high ranking. SV

---- Health Plan Focuses on EMR Adoption, Interoperability and Education ----

ALBANY, N.Y. — Jun. 14, 2007 — CDPHP, the region’s leading health value company, today announced it has distributed more than $3 million in physician incentive funding to promote the adoption of information technology in physicians’ offices. Overall, CDPHP has invested nearly $4.5 million toward electronic medical record (EMR) adoption, interoperability and education.

“CDPHP is a leader in promoting technology in New York state,” said William J. Cromie, MD, MBA, president and CEO, CDPHP. “We are committed to creating and presenting opportunities for physicians. As the technology and transparency movement continues to grow, it will ultimately raise the bar on the quality of health care in this region.”

CDPHP is championing Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt’s four cornerstones plan which is modeled around the concept of value-based health care that specifies providers, health plans and other health care professionals are rewarded, and procedures and products are encouraged and utilized based upon the value they bring to the consumer. In 2005, using this model, CDPHP designed an incentive program for primary care physicians and specialists to adopt the technology necessary to improve care for patients.

“By promoting technology and education within our provider network and establishing an incentive program, CDPHP has enabled physicians to improve the quality of care and service delivered to their patients, and has rewarded them for their efforts,” said Cromie.

CDPHP

IPRO Quality Award Winners 2007

The Award Winners were announced at the 23 rd Annual Meeting.
IPRO has done and continues to do an outstanding job assisting individuals and organizations realize their potential both locally in New York and nationally. SV


AMBULATORY CARE

For exemplary performance and leadership in promoting health information technology - Doctor's Office Quality-Information Technology (DOQ-IT) Project:

* PATRICIA L. HALE, MD, PhD, Gansevoort, New York

For exemplary performance and organization-wide commitment to quality improvement - Asthma Outpatient Project:

* FLORENCE NNEBE, MD, STATEN ISLAND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, NORTH PEDIATRIC CLINIC, Staten Island, New York

For exemplary performance and organization-wide commitment to quality improvement - Asthma and Diabetes Outpatient Project:

* ST. PETER'S HOSPITAL AMBULATORY CARE NETWORK, Albany, New York

For exemplary performance and sharing of best practices - Doctor's Office Quality-Information Technology (DOQ-IT) Project:

* BONNIE SUNDAY, MD, Orchard Park, New York

For exemplary performance, organization-wide commitment to quality improvement and promotion of health information technology for quality improvement - Doctor's Office Quality-Information Technology (DOQ-IT) Project:

* SALVATORE VOLPE, MD, Staten Island, New York

For outstanding efforts in adopting and promoting health information technology - Doctor's Office Quality-Information Technology (DOQ-IT) Project:

* ERNEST VOMERO, MD, Huntington, New York
* ROBERT McCALLION, RN, RNP, Huntington, New York

HOME HEALTH AGENCIES

In recognition of highest relative improvement: Reduction of Avoidable Acute Care Hospitalizations/Improvement in Pain Interfering with Activity - Home Health Quality Initiative:

* FULTON COUNTY NURSING SERVICE, Gloverville, New York

In recognition of achievement as a top performing New York State Home Health Agency: Reduction of Avoidable Acute Care Hospitalizations/Improvement in Oral Medication Management - Home Health Quality Initiative:

* HCR HOME HEALTH AGENCY, Rochester, New York

In recognition of achievement of highest relative improvement of all New York State agencies: Reduction of Avoidable Acute Care Hospitalizations/Improvement in Oral Medication Management - Home Health Quality Initiative:

* JEWISH HOME & HOSPITAL HOME HEALTH CARE, New York, New York

HOSPITALS

For exemplary performance, organization-wide commitment to quality improvement, and sharing of best practices - Organizational Safety Culture Change Project; Appropriate Care Measure Project:

* ELIZABETHTOWN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, Elizabethtown, New York

For exemplary performance, organization-wide commitment to quality improvement, and sharing of best practices - Appropriate Care Measure Project:

* VASSAR BROTHERS MEDICAL CENTER, Poughkeepsie, New York

For exemplary performance and organization-wide commitment to quality improvement - Surgical Care Improvement Project:

* WINTHROP UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, Mineola, New York

NURSING HOMES

For exemplary performance, organization-wide commitment to quality improvement and sharing of best practices - Nursing Home Quality Initiative:

* MARY MANNING WALSH HOME, New York, New York
* OUR LADY OF MERCY LIFE CENTER, Guilderland, New York
* ST. JOHNSVILLE REHABILITATION AND NURSING CENTER, St. Johnsville, New York

PROVIDER RELATIONS COMMITTEE

For commitment to quality improvement and management and in recognition of ten years of service on IPRO's Provider Relations Committee - Medicare and Medicaid Review Operations:

* CONSUELO DUNGCA, RN, EDD, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CLINICAL AFFAIRS, NYC HEALTH AND HOSPITALS CORPORATION, New York, New York

IPRO

2007 Healthcare Informatics Top 100 listing

Here is the list of the top 100 companies ranked by Healthare IT revenue.
Collectively these companies sold over 115 Billion dollars in healthcare IT products and services.
Are your product and service companies on the list? SV

Healthcare Informatics

NaviMedix Offers Free Allscripts Electronic Prescribing to 190,000 U.S. Physicians

Each day there are fewer reasons not to be e-Prescribing. SV

CHICAGO, IL AND CAMBRIDGE, MA — June 5, 2007 — Allscripts (Nasdaq: MDRX), the leading provider of clinical software, connectivity and information solutions that physicians use to improve healthcare, and NaviMedix, Inc., the leader and innovator in automating provider communications with health plans, care management companies and other industry participants, announced an agreement to provide the eRx NOWSM ePrescribing solution from Allscripts to NaviMedix’s nationwide network of more than 190,000 physician customers. eRx NOW will be offered at no cost to users of NaviNet®, NaviMedix’s free web-based provider communications solution.

Allscripts

EHRs and Diabetic Guideline Non-Compliance

One study should practices with "EHRs" were less likely to follow Diabetes Guidelines than practices without EHRs.
From my review of the article, I could not find the names nor version numbers of the EHRs used by the practices.
This emphasizes the need to review with your medical societies and peers the features desired in an EHR before purchase.

Visit this Blog for lists of EHR educational seminars in your area.
Not all EHRs are made the same. SV


Annals of Family Medicine

TEPR 2007 Awards Winners Dallas Texas


Many of you who attend TEPR may have missed the judging sessions.
The presenters did an excellent job of providing informative reviews of their products. Also available on these days were fine presentations on EHRs, RHIOs and Continuity of Care. Absent this year and hopefully scheduled for return was the TEPR EMR award.
I felt the Personal Health Records products raised as many questions as they answered.
Let us know what other categories you would like to see at TEPR.
If you attend TEPR, share your experiences. SV


The TEPR Awards 2007 selection process had two parts. Part 1 took place over the course of the past month when a panel of independent judges reviewed by the TEPR Awards Applications, scored each entry and selected the top three finalists for each category.

Part 2 took place on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20 when the finalists presented/demonstrated their solutions to the panel of judges. First, Second and Third Honors were then determined in each category. The TEPR Award honorees were officially recognized and announced at the TEPR 2007 Opening Session. (Note: Continuity of Care Awards for Implementors were determined by the Part 1 process only.)

The Medical Records Institute's TEPR Awards 2007 recognizes outstanding healthcare information system solutions in the following categories:

Document Imaging in Healthcare
1st Honors: Medical Communication Systems, Inc.
2nd Honors: BlueWare, Inc.
3rd Honors: e-MedRec by Holt Systems

Mobile Applications for Healthcare
1st Honors: PatientKeeper
2nd Honors: Medical Communication Systems, Inc.
3rd Honors: e-MDs, Inc.

Standalone e-Prescribing Systems
1st Honors: Purkinje
2nd Honors: Misys Healthcare
3rd Honors: Allscripts

Personal Health Records
1st Honors: CapMed
2nd Honors: Waiting Room Solutions
3rd Honors: Medical Communication Systems, Inc.

Hot Products in HIT
1st Honors: Phytel, Inc.
2nd Honors: Sage Software

Pediatric Awards
1st Honors: (TIE) Bond & Medical Communication Systems, Inc.
2nd Honors: e-MDs
3rd Honors: (TIE) Office Practicum & Practice Partner

Continuity of Care Awards for Vendors
1st Honors: (TIE) Medical Communications Systems, Inc. & e-MDs, Inc.
2nd Honors: Solventus
3rd Honors: Allscripts

Continuity of Care Awards for Implementors
1st Honors: New Orleans Health Department
2nd Honors: Pediatric Health Care at Newton Wellesley, MA
3rd Honors: (TIE) Northern Illinois Physicians for Connectivity &
Yuil Medical Center, Lawrence, MA

Maimonides Medical Center Telemedicine Initiative With Verizon Business foundation for the Brooklyn Health Information Exchange (BHIE)

The people of Brooklyn are very fortunate to have Maimonides spearhead this initiative. It can serve as a hub for other collaboratives. SV

The BHIE, composed of a consortium of 10 Brooklyn-based health care organizations representing the full continuum of medical delivery, will enable the sharing of complete patient clinical information via an electronic medical record transferred between health care organizations over the network infrastructure already in place at Maimonides. To support the creation of the BHIE, Maimonides received a $4 million grant from the state of New York to create the required secure electronic infrastructure for sharing clinical information among multiple health care organizations, whether the patient is being treated in an affiliated emergency room, inpatient unit, doctor's office or skilled nursing facility.

Verizon

eClinical Works will use IMH (Instant Medical History) in the updated version of their Patient Portal

I am long time user of IMH as a free standing product and as part of Phreesia.
Integration with the Patient Portal will be a boon for eCW clients. SV


IMH

eClinicalWorks

EMR implementations: turning challenges into opportunities

Here's a link to a review of the presentation we made today at the HIMSS conference. SV

Healthcare IT News

HIMSS

Walgreen Co. To Acquire Convenient Care Clinic Operator Take Care Health Systems


First CVS, now Walgreens.
The demand for services is driving market decisions for providing care in these venues. This is a phenomenon worth study. SV

DEERFIELD, Ill., May 16, 2007 – Walgreen Co. (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG) today said it intends to acquire Take Care Health Systems, a leading operator of convenient care clinics. The clinics, combined with the drugstore chain’s nearly 5,700 pharmacies across the country, will form the core for the future rollout of a variety of patient-focused health care services.

Take Care Health Systems operates 50 health care clinics in Chicago, Kansas City, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. The transaction is expected to close next week, subject to the completion of a definitive agreement. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

About Take Care Health Systems

Take Care Health Systems (www.takecarehealth.com) is a leading independent operator of convenient care clinics. Take Care Health combines best practices in medicine and the expertise and personal care of Take Care nurse practitioners to provide high-quality, accessible and affordable health care to all individuals. Take Care Health operates 50 health care clinics in Chicago, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and St. Louis. Take Care Health uses nationally recognized clinical guidelines, industry standards set forth by the Convenient Care Association (www.convenientcareassociation.org) and an electronic medical record system to ensure the highest quality care. The company maintains a robust quality assurance program, including collaborating physician record review, peer review and compliance auditing.

Walgreens

The HIMSS Virtual Conference and Expo is now open for visitors

Come visit and stay a while. SV

HIMSS

Clinical Decision Support (CDS) at the Point of Care (POC) provided by Skyscape and Elsevier


I've used Skyscape ebooks integrated with my EHR and was glad to see that Elsevier also offers CDS.

Feel free to share your experiences with Elsevier and Skyscape. SV


Skyscape

Elsevier

Epocrates e-Prescribing and EMR/EHR partners


Here is a current list. SV

Epocrates’ EMR/EHR and ePrescibing Partners

Amazing Charts
BlueFish
DrFirst
GlaceEMR
InstantDx
iScribe
Medent
Medsite
Misys
OnCallData
Patient Keeper
PocketMD
SOAPware
SpringCharts

ACP and other organizations provide a framework for Patient-Centered Care to the House Ways and Means Committee


I applaud the physician organizations, employers and government officals that recognize the need for finally changing our episodic based health care system to an organic system that requires a management on a continuous basis. SV

May 10, 2007 (WASHINGTON) “Congress has an historic opportunity to join with the American College of Physicians (ACP), other physician organizations and employers to redesign Medicare payment policies to provide incentives for patient-centered care,” ACP told the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health in a written statement for the record submitted today. Thursday’s hearing was on Options to Improve Quality and Efficiency Among Medicare Physicians.

“ACP today offered a comprehensive plan for Medicare to realign payment policies to support comprehensive, coordinated, and longitudinal care for beneficiaries through a physician-directed, Patient-Centered Medical Home,” noted ACP President David C. Dale, MD, FACP.

“It is a rare opportunity to realign payment incentives to:

help physicians deliver the care that patients need and want;
recognize the value of care managed by a patient’s personal physician;
support the value of primary care medicine in improving outcomes; and
create the systems needed at the physician practice level to deliver the best possible care to patients.”

A Patient-Centered Health Medical home is a physician practice that has gone through a voluntary qualification process to demonstrate that it:

Provides continuous access to a personal primary or principal care physician who accepts responsibility for treating and managing care for the whole patient through an a patient-centered medical home, rather than limiting practice to a single disease condition, organ system, or procedure,

Supports the specific characteristics of care that the evidence shows result in the best possible outcomes for patients.

Recognizes the importance of implementing systems-based approaches that will enable physicians and other clinicians to manage care, in partnership with their patients, and to engage in continuous quality improvement,

Introduces transparency in consumer decision-making and accountability for getting better results by reporting on evidence-based quality, cost and patient experience measures of care.

In March, 2007, ACP, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Osteopathic Association released a joint statement of principles that defines the characteristics of a Patient-Centered Medical Home. The four organizations represent 333,000 physicians and medical students.
The Patient-Centered

A Patient-Centered Health Medical home is a physician practice that has gone through a voluntary qualification process to demonstrate that it:

Provides continuous access to a personal primary or principal care physician who accepts responsibility for treating and managing care for the whole patient through an a patient-centered medical home, rather than limiting practice to a single disease condition, organ system, or procedure,

Supports the specific characteristics of care that the evidence shows result in the best possible outcomes for patients.

Recognizes the importance of implementing systems-based approaches that will enable physicians and other clinicians to manage care, in partnership with their patients, and to engage in continuous quality improvement,

Introduces transparency in consumer decision-making and accountability for getting better results by reporting on evidence-based quality, cost and patient experience measures of care.

ACP

TEPR: Towards the Electronic Medical Record Conference
May 19-23, 2007, Dallas Texas

Whether you are a solo practitioner, or the CEO of a major healthcare organization, TEPR 2007 will provide you with timely, up-to-the-minute information to answer your particular HIT needs.

TEPR’s educational sessions are led by actual users of EMRs and EHRs, as well as industry thought leaders, who will provide insights from their real life experiences. We address the situations you meet in real life, and provide you with the opportunity to learn - not just from presenters - but from each other.
With over 30,000 square feet of products, technologies and services from more than 175 leading health IT vendors, TEPR 2007 offers a comprehensive overview of innovative products and solutions to answer all your health IT needs.

TEPR

MSSNY NSLIJ May 11, 2007 HIT Fair

We had over 200 attendees at the fair.

In addition to the traditional vendor area, there were a total of four one hour vendor demonstrations which filled to capacity.

We were fortunate to have local and national leaders in Health Information Technology present their views and experiences.

The audience, which had a significant number of primary care physicians in small practictes, raised many important questions.

I encourage anyone who missed the presenation to return here and the MSSNY website for notices on future conferences. SV

MSSNY

AHRQ and Epocrates Collaborate to Deliver Best Practices to the Point of Care


One of the problems with providing Evidence Based Medicine, is getting easy access to best practice information. Epocrates provides an excellent conduit for disseminating this information. The next step would be to create links with EHRs that would incorporate these recommendations and prompt health care providers at the point of care. And if necessary, permit the option to remove them if new research no longer supports an old recommendation. SV

Epocrates

Verizon CEO Announces Implementation of New Online Personal Health Records Program (WEBMD) for Company Employees


This decision will benefit over 900,000 employees.
We applaud Verizon's decision to give its employees better access to their heatlh information as well as promoting greater individual involvement in their healthcare.
Please let us know if you EHR has an interface with WEBMD's PHR. SV


"Information technology has revolutionized the way we live and could add great value to the delivery of health care in this country," Seidenberg said. "The health care industry has been on the cutting edge of technology on the research and development side, but not on the administrative side. Electronic medical records will radically change the dynamics of our health care system by providing the information needed to empower the patient. This is the first step toward an interoperable system that will seamlessly connect all pieces of the health care puzzle - patients, clinicians, pharmacies, labs, hospitals and others."

VERIZON

IRS to allow Not for Profit Hospitals (NFPs) to give financial aid for EHRs


The uncertaininty of the legality to give financial aid had made many institutions hestant to risk sanctions. Now Not for Profit Hospitals have the same options as other institutions to assist in the promotion of EHRs.
The opinion is so clearly written, even I understood it without a dictionary. SV

IRS

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and Humana plan statewide deployment of Avility Care Profile

The recent pilot project suggests that claims based data can supplement provider based data for a more enhanced Electronic Medical Record. Point of Care Partners (POCP) are quoted as having evaluated the project. SV

Avality

POCP

Skyscape offer ACP Journal Club for the Palm and Windows platforms.

Here's another way to keep with your journal reading.
Let us know what you think. SV

Journal Club, from the American College of Physicians, presents valued-added abstracts and commentaries on articles selected from over 100 of the most respected medical journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, the Lancet, and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The articles chosen are those requiring immediate attention from physicians looking to stay current on the most important advances in internal medicine.

Skyscape

HIMSS Virtual Conference & Expo May 16-17 2007

Visit the Expo from the comfort of your home! SV

HIMSS

MSSNY NS/LIJ HIT FAIR MAY 17 2007

Health Information Technology

Physicians and Technology Working Together

Fair details

Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury, NY Long Island

Register online

Click here for a link to practice that has implemented an EHR PHR PATIENT PORTAL

Please join our blog community and register.

You may use the link at the lower right hand portion of the screen to set up a RSS link to get automatic updates.

Please let us know of any related items that you would like posted.

You may use the Blog search bar for this blog and the Google search bar for this blog and others.

At the bottom of the screen we have a provided a Drug look up bar linked to Epocrates.



Salvatore Volpe

SureScripts® to Acquire MedAvant Electronic Prescribing Network

Consolidation should help ease and accelerate adoption of e-Prescribing utilizing a common communication standard. SV

Alexandria, Va. – May 1, 2007 – SureScripts, operator of the Pharmacy Health Information Exchange, today announced that it has acquired MedAvant Healthcare Solutions’ (NASDAQ: PILL) electronic prescribing network, the longest operating physician-to-pharmacy electronic prescription network in the nation. SureScripts is not purchasing MedAvant’s physician desktop application PreScribe.


Over the next 90 days, SureScripts and MedAvant will transition all electronic prescription transactions and connectivity from the MedAvant electronic prescribing network to the Pharmacy Health Information Exchange, operated by SureScripts. With more than 95 percent of the nation’s pharmacies certified for an electronic connection to the Pharmacy Health Information Exchange, the acquisition will allow physicians who were formerly on the MedAvant network to reach far more pharmacies electronically. It also allows physicians and their technology vendors to communicate with pharmacies through a single network, using a single set of certifications based on nationally accepted standards and best practices for e-prescribing. All of this will allow thousands of physicians to streamline and expand their electronic prescribing connectivity – improving the safety and efficiency of the prescribing process.

SureScripts

CCHIT adds over 30 additional EHRs, including VISTA based products, to the list!

The pack is now 87 strong and growing!
More choices means more competition.
Its a great time to be shopping for a system. SV

CCHIT.ORG

Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro Battery Update

I would be remiss if I didn't post an Apple NoteBook battery topic. SV

Apple has recently discovered that some batteries used in its MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks may have battery performance issues. Apple is offering a software update that is designed to improve battery performance.

Apple

HHS Joins International Partners to Promote Electronic Health Records Standards

We may be late to the party, but we can still make a splash. SV

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced the United States will participate in an international effort to encourage more rapid development and worldwide adoption of standard clinical terminology for electronic health records.

The United States is one of nine charter members of the new International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation (IHTSDO), which has acquired Systemized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) from the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Other charter members are from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Membership is open to all countries.

HHS

CIGNA HealthCare to Offer Quicken Health, Simplifying Health Care Financial Management in 2008

As more health savings accounts become more prevalent, patients will need a product like this to manage their funds reliably. It's good to see a managed care company provide this to its members. SV


Intuit

Minnesota's Community Health Information Collaborative (CHIC) Selects Zix Corporation's Email Encryption Service for New Information Exchange

Secure communication is a key requirement for the acceptance of HIT by the healthcare community and the public. Zixcorp has a solid reputation in this field. SV


Zixcorp

Acer notebook recall of Sony Batteries

We've already posted recalls for Fujitsu,Gateway,Lenovo, Sony and Toshiba. Are there any other major notebooks that are using Sony batteries?
Please let us know. SV

San Jose, Calif., April 25, 2007 – Acer America, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, today announced a voluntary recall of approximately 27,000 rechargeable lithium ion batteries containing battery cells manufactured by Sony Energy Devices Corp. Under certain circumstances, these batteries may overheat and create a potential fire hazard. As announced previously by the CPSC, there have been 16 reports of notebook batteries overheating. These reports were associated with earlier recalls by other notebook computer manufacturers of batteries containing these Sony cells. None of these reports involved batteries in Acer notebook computers, however, the company is cooperating with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Sony to act in the interest of customer safety.


Acer

Sony recalls

Access to patients' medication history with browsers and EHRs using ICERx and SureScripts during disasters

This will be an amazing resource and is just the first of many steps to improving the nation's safety net using Information Technology.SV

As a physician, you have a critical need to be able to access evacuees medication histories to provide continuity of care in the event of a disaster. ICERx, a secure web site operated by private organizations and made possible with the assistance of federal, state, and local governments, provides you with a secure portal to obtain this information.

* Evacuee outpatient prescription history
* drug name and dosage
* quantity and day supply
* name of pharmacy that filled the script
* name of provider who wrote the script
* Available patient clinical alerts
* drug interaction alerts
* therapeutic duplication alerts
* elderly alerts
* Clinical Pharmacology® drug reference information
* drug monographs
* interaction reports
* drug identifier tool

http://www.icerx.org/doctors.htm

Bipartisan National Health Information Incentive Act


Let's hear it for Congressmen Charles Gonzalez (TX-20) and Phil Gingrey (GA-11.
Contact your elected officials and urge support! SV

National Health Information Incentive Act of 2005 - Establishes within the executive office of the President an Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.

Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to add a new part D (Standards for Building The National Health Information Infrastructure) to direct the Secretary to develop or adopt standards for transactions and data elements for such transactions to enable the creation of a national health care information infrastructure.

Requires the Secretary to include additional Medicare payment incentives to assure small health care providers have the capability to move toward a national health care information infrastructure by acquiring electronic health record systems and other health information technologies that meet such standards.

Provides for optional financial incentives to small health care providers and entities to implement a national health information infrastructure.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make grants to small health care providers and entities for expenditures relating to the implementation of a national health information infrastructure; and (2) make and guarantee loans to small health care providers for the purpose of assisting them to implement, design, test, acquire, and adopt electronic health records and other health information technologies.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a refundable credit for a portion of the expenses of for establishing a health care information technology system (infrastructure).

Library of Congress

New York City Department Of Health And Mental Hygiene Selects eClinicalWorks Unified EMR/PM Solution


This a good move for NYC. As a provider of health care to the poor, NYC and other cities are seeing the value of bringing Electronic Health Records to physicians. Patients will benefit through the efficiences that only EHRs can provide. The City will benefit by having a healthier populace at a lower long term budget. Physicians will of course be able to apply the EHR benefits to their Commercial and Medicare patients as well especially with the features incorporated in the TCNY (Take Care NY upgrade)! SV

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. - April 16, 2007 - eClinicalWorks, a market leader in unified EMR/PM systems, today announced that the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has chosen eClinicalWorks unified electronic medical records (EMR) and practice management (PM) in a $19.8 million deal as part of its Primary Care Information Project (PCIP) initiative. Initially, 1300 physicians serving the City's neediest communities are implementing eClinicalWorks EMR/PM, with the potential of expanding to additional providers. Participating physicians will also have access to eClinicalWorks Patient Portal to engage City physicians and their patients in more effective medical management.

eClinicalWorks

Walmart looking into common Electronic Health Record for its clinics


The EHR chosen by Walmart could potentially influence the choice of other retailers as well as local health care providers. SV

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is forecasting more than 6,600 in-store medical clinics will open their doors in the next five years in retailers nationwide, a company official said on Thursday.

"I think it's an indication of how bullish individuals (chief executives of clinics and retailers) are," Alicia Ledlie, senior director for Wal-Mart's health business development, said at a health care retailers convention in Orlando.

With 75 clinics in Wal-Mart stores in 12 states, the company has ended its pilot program and plans a faster roll-out of additional clinics nationwide.


Reuters

State of Washington promotes the use of Electronic Health Records

The measure was approved 61-34. House Health Care and Wellness Committee Chairwoman Rep. Eileen Cody, D-Seattle, said she expects the Senate to sign off on the changes, with the bill then going to the governor.

Gov. Christine Gregoire's health-care adviser, Christina Hulet, said the governor is on board with the House version of the bill.

The measure is based on the 16 recommendations made by the governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Costs and Access.

Among other things, the measure would encourage care that has been proved to work, start health-promotion programs for state employees, and allow online access to the University of Washington Health Science Library.

It also encourages the use of electronic medical records, which supporters say will improve safety and lower costs, while promoting better care of patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes.

The Seattle Times

Four Florida Health Plans,Provider groups and Rx-Hub form an organization to promote e-Prescribing

Several Florida health plans and provider organizations are working together to provide Floridians access to improved health, safety and affordability through electronic prescribing.

The goal is to collaborate and oversee the adoption of electronic prescriptions in Florida. Retail pharmacy chains, state and regional health plans and core technology vendors will all be targeted by the group to collaborate on adopting e-prescribing in Florida.

The steering committee for ePrescribe Florida is made up of representatives from Jacksonville-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Kentucky-based Humana (NYSE: HUM), UnitedHealthcare and Florida-based AvMed.

Tampa Bay Business Journal

PRN Newswire

CMS:CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES LAUNCHES DOQ-IT UNIVERSITY


This is an excellent training system that can be done at your leisure.
See you at the Quad.SV

NEW INTERACTIVE LEARNING TOOL EDUCATES PHYSICIANS IN THE ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS AND CARE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES


The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced the national launch of DOQ-IT(Doctor’s Office Quality Information Technology) University, or DOQ-IT U, to support health information technology (HIT) in physicians’ offices.

DOQ-IT U is an interactive, Web-based tool designed to provide solo and small-to-medium sized physician practices with the education for successful HIT adoption, including lessons on culture change, vendor selection and operational redesign, along with clinical processes. The nationally available e-learning system is available at no charge.



“CMS is pleased to launch DOQ-IT University, the first of its kind e-learning platform, to provide assistance to physicians across the United States in the adoption and implementation of electronic health records and care management practices,” said CMS Acting Administrator Leslie V. Norwalk, Esq. “DOQ-IT U’s interactive platform, self-paced curriculum, and associated tools provide physicians with easy access to the resources they need to help ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care at all times.”

Qualitynet.org

CIGNA HealthCare for Seniors to Offer Free e-Visits Through RelayHealth®


This is a great recognition of the value of e-Visits and of the RelayHealth service. We currently have patients who have taken advantage of Patient Portals to communicate with the practice.Hopefully this service will be offered nationwide.SV


PHOENIX, April 10, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIGNA HealthCare for Seniors announced today that it will begin to offer free electronic visits (e- Visits) and other online health care services through the RelayHealth® network, McKesson's secure online connectivity service. CIGNA HealthCare for Seniors is the first Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan in Arizona to provide coverage for e-Visits through its physician network, CIGNA Medical Group (CMG). CMG is currently offering online health care services (including e-Visits at a nominal charge), to its non-Medicare patients.

CIGNA

Florida may connect Electronic Medical Records Statewide


This will not be an easy task with multiple EHR programs but will perhaps additional impetus to improve interoperability. SV


Bills advancing through the state Legislature would expand local electronic medical record-sharing programs into a single, statewide network.

The Tampa Tribune

2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative PowerPoint_ Module One is now available

This PowerPoint presentation provides a good overview. SV

CMS

Summa Health Network:Grant Money and Support for Docs

Here is one pathway for doctors who would rather not go it alone.SV

Summa Health Network, the contracting arm of Summa Health System that negotiates with insurers on behalf of Summa hospitals and participating doctors, provided a $22,500 grant to help the practice buy the $60,000 system.

Summa also provided technical assistance, including access to its server to safely store the electronic patient records.

About 200 doctors in the Akron area have made similar deals with Summa.

Ohio.com

eClinicalWorks goes to Harvard Business School

Congratulations. SV

eClinicalWorks: The Paths to Growth

Publication Date: Dec 22, 2006
Availability: In Stock
Author(s): Robert F. Higgins, Mark Rennella

Description:

In January, 2006, eClinicalWorks (eCW) had an acquisition opportunity that could fundamentally change the way they had done business since the inception of the company in 1999. eClinicalWorks was a privately run business in the healthcare information technology field that took in $25 million in revenue in 2005. Revenues for 2006 were projected to reach $40 million. This successful electronic medical record (EMR) company had grown thanks to their reliable software and responsive customer service. The company had achieved this growth without the help of any outside financing. The five co-founders of eCW, who treated each other like an extended family, invested years of sweat equity and hard work to shape eCW as they wanted. They were also proud of their company culture, which de-emphasized traditional company hierarchies and encouraged independent thinking and cooperative working arrangements across departments. Keeping the company private, in their view, had helped them to maintain this culture. The opportunity to acquire another EMR company offered eCW the chance to grow quickly in an industry that is estimated to take in more than $40 billion in overall revenues in 2007. But this acquisition would require outside financing of some sort. Was this the moment to accelerate the rate of growth to which eCW had become accustomed--catching up with, rather than anticipating, how their customer base would expand? Or should they maintain the same approach that had worked so well since 1999?

Harvard Business Online

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine has chosen VISTA from DSS for its Electronic Health Record System

DSS stands for Document Storage System. SV

"DSS® specializes in the computerization of patient medical records. Our core specialty within the medical network environment is building GUI interface applications that insert, update and retrieve patient data that is held in an M (MUMPS) data repository or SQL database system."

DSS

TTUHSC

Technorati Profile

Misys renews focus on physicians'practices

Hospital based business is virtually put on hold as the company focuses on practices with nine or few physicians. SV


News & Observer

Former President Bill Clinton backs electronic health records

Bill Clinton recently commented positively on EHRS and the potential improvements in efficiency at the recent CTIA Wireless trade show. SV

Washington Post

Walmart, Blue Cross Blue Shield, University of Arkansas partner to create the Center for Innovation in Health Care Logistics


Here is more evidence that Big Business and Managed Care see a need to improve the current health care delivery system. Hopefully the roster will include members of Medical Community as well. SV

The Center for Innovation in Health Care Logistics will be dedicated to conducting research aimed at identifying and addressing gaps and roadblocks in the application and delivery of health information technology, and highlighting and replicating proven applications that are working to benefit patients and providers.

The goal of the Center’s work is to put the right materials in the hands of doctors and nurses where and when they need them; it also aims to eliminate the threat of medical errors arising from wasteful and unreliable practices in health care supply networks.

Walmart

Eclipsys Sunrise Clinical Manager™ Selected by SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

Eclipsys Corporation® (NASDAQ: ECLP), The Outcomes Company®, today announced that SUNY Downstate Medical Center’s University Hospital of Brooklyn (UHB) will implement Sunrise Clinical Manager and its fully integrated modules, including Sunrise Acute Care™, Sunrise Ambulatory Care™, Sunrise Pharmacy™, and Knowledge-Based Medication Administration™ as part of an organizational initiative to improve care delivery through a clinical information system.

Using Sunrise Clinical Manager’s single integrated clinical platform, SUNY Downstate Medical Center/UHB will connect its acute and ambulatory care providers, enabling patient information to flow seamlessly between the acute and ambulatory care environments while integrating with the Pharmacy to improve medication management. The medical center will also use Sunrise Clinical Manager’s Knowledge-Based CPOE™ system to establish standard care processes throughout the medical center to help improve patient-care outcomes.


Eclipsys

eClinicalWorks And Utah Medical Association Team Up To Deliver Electronic Health Records

"The Utah Medical Association is committed to offering our members access to the best tools to help them care for their patients, said Dr. C. Kerry Stratford, president of Utah Medical Association. Electronic medical records can benefit all of our members, whether they care for patients in large or small practices. Having used eClinicalWorks in my own practice, I know that many of our members will benefit from this comprehensive EMR and practice management solution.

eclinicalworks

Cerner secures two more contracts in England

Kansas City Star

CCHIT Inpatient EHR 2007 Pilot Applications still being accepted

Remember you have to be in it to win it.
Send in your applications.SV

Organizations with inpatient EHR products may apply to participate in the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) inpatient EHR pilot test taking place in the latter part of April and early May 2007.

Participation in the CCHIT Inpatient EHR Certification pilot is open to any organization that has an inpatient EHR product offering clinician electronic order writing (commonly called CPOE) and electronic medication administration (commonly called eMAR) functions. Companies that only offer eMAR are also invited to apply as CCHIT offers a test configuration for that situation as well. Applications will be accepted through March 30, 2007.

CCHIT

Ohio boasts two major hospitals systems using EHRs: Mercy Health Partners and ProMedica Health System

As the advantages become better known, more will follow their lead. SV

Toledo Free Press

Mobile 12 lead ECG uses cellphone technology to transmit data

Until now most units use 2 or 3 leads.SV

San Franciso Chronicle

Motion LE1700:The first slate tablet PC to offer Intel® Core™2 Duo mobile technology

Now here is a supercharge Slate Tablet!. SV

Motion Computing Announces New Tablet PC




Motion LE1700 Integrates Compelling Features, Ultimate Slate Mobility

ANNOUNCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS:

* Exclusive WriteTouch™ for dual-mode writing and touch input, with automatic switching between modes
* Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) capabilities to stay connected
* Optimized by the Microsoft® Windows Vista™ operating system and first slate tablet PC to enable Windows Aero Glass
* The first slate tablet PC to offer Intel® Core™2 Duo mobile technology
* The first slate tablet PC with a high-resolution SXGA+ LCD screen; providing unparalleled graphic clarity and detail
* Up to 4GB of 667-MHz memory – double the maximum capacity of Motion’s prior generation tablet PC
* Enhanced data security via ComputraceComplete tracking and recovery service and Motion DataGuard™ hard drive accelerometer

Motion Computing

Genesee Valley Health Partnership receives $100,000 to set up County wide Information Network

Cudos to to Excellus. Hopefully more health plans will follow their example. SV

The grant is being provided by Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield

The health partnership plans to use the grant for:

A centralized electronic health record system for emergency medical services;

A single entry-point portal to link patients with chronic illnesses or disabilities with services and providers; and

An EHR storage and retrieval system for providers.

This is part of a 1.1 Million dollar project.

Rochester Business Journal

UnitedHealthCare recruiting large physician groups for Diabetes Pilot


The groups must have at least 60 physicians.
The use of an EMR and Registry would improve chances of participation. SV

UnitedHealthcare is pleased to announce an opportunity for your diabetes care team to receive the services of the International Diabetes Center (IDC) free of charge. The International Diabetes Center is a world renowned leader in diabetes management and they have developed a program called Diabetes Connections which is a holistic diabetes curriculum for care teams.

Sites participating in the pilot will receive the following:
A two day onsite assessment by the IDC
Customized training for your entire health care team
Baseline & ongoing measurement of performance for 24 months post implementation
Monthly conference calls with the experts at IDC
Care teams successfully completing this program may be eligible for the NCQA Diabetes Physician Recognition Program and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Diabetes Education Certification
Eligibility- Medical Groups with a minimum of 60 physicians who have been contracted with UnitedHealthcare for at least a year.

Space is very limited so please apply today for consideration;

Applications - must be limited to 1 page and include the following information:
Medical Group name and address, contact email and telephone number
UnitedHealthcare network management contact
Number of physicians by specialty
Number of patients with diabetes and health disparity concerns
A brief description of your group, current diabetes programs used e.g. EMR, Registry etc and why your group should be considered for this pilot
Submit applications via email to Qualityinfo@uhc.com

In the email subject header please put the following: Diabetes Connections Pilot Application

Application submission deadline is April 15, 2007. Applicants will receive notification of participation determination by May 15, 2007.

UnitedHealthcare

PracticeFusion provides EHRs at no cost

Physicians are given the choice of either using Google advertising to finance the service or paying $250.00 per month. Both options are available as an "on demand" or ASP service.

This means PracticeFusion is responsible for software upgrades and keeping the system "live". The only real responsibility of the physician is to have at least one Business Class broadband connection with a SLA (service level aggreement).
I have usually advised having two such connections in the office to since the workflow could be potentially be handcapped otherwise. The average cost of a single connection in my community has run $350.00 per month.

Most of the articles about PracticeFusion have focused on the unique business model, I have not seen any review on response time using non-Business Class DSL, CABLE or FIOS.

I'll submit a review of the EHR when a hands-on opportunity arises. SV

PracticeFusion

SanFranciso Chronicle

ePrescribing experience in Florida

This article provides a good review of the local experience, estimated savings and transaction fees.

The Times-Union

Windows Daylight Time Adjustment Fix

For those of you with Windows XP who haven't already done so, it is probably a good idea to turn on Automatic Updates. This is Microsoft's way of getting updates to your computer without you having to search for them in the future,such as bug fixes etc.

To activate Automatic Updates, go to the Start icon on the lower left then click on Help and Support.
In the search window enter Automatic Updates, then choose update your system files using Windows Update.
Follow the directions from there.
For those of you who had already turned on Windows XP with Automatic Updates, you may get an "error" message indicating that the Daylight Savings time "fix" is already installed when you attempt to manually load the Daylight Savings Time program.

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cp_dst?wt_svl=20278a&mg_id=20278b

To see which version of Windows XP you have, go to the Start button.
Click on My Computers.
On the upper left hand side you'll see View System Information, click on this.

Westchester County Medical Society Health Information Technology Seminar March 19, 2007

All are invited to attend the seminar and meet technology vendors. SV

Location: Pleasantville Country Club
Date: 3/19/2007
Start Time: 6:00 p.m.
Contact: The Medical Society
Phone: 914.967.9100

Westchester County Medical Society

Medtab from Emano Tec uses E ink imaging film

This unit uses a black and white display and is "washable" making potentially useful in hospitals.

Compare to the Motion Computing device. SV

The MedTab includes the following rich feature set:

*
Portable – 12 Ounces, measuring 5.5” X 7.5” X 0. 5” which comfortably fits a lab coat pocket
*
High Resolution Display – 1024x768 pixels using a proprietary E-Ink high contrast, low power “digital paper” display.
*
Rugged – capable of withstanding 30g impact
*
Touch Screen (including pen for notations)
*
Intel 624MHz Processor
*
WinCE OS
*
Bluetooth for audio or data transfer
*
Fingerprint scanner
*
Audio In/Out
*
802.11/g WIFI
*
Cisco’s OEM security Client– supporting state of the art wireless security
*
8-12 hour running time

Emanotec

EASTERN REGIONAL OSTEOPATHIC CONVENTION MEDICINE & OFFICE TECHNOLOGY UPDATE 2007
APRIL 19-22, 2007

This will be great opportunity to get some education and to get some hands on time with vendors.

Event planners: Feel free to post your events on our HIT FORUM. SV

FOUR POINTS SHERATON
Plainview, Long Island

Program

Courses

Registration

Senator Patrick Kennedy H.R.6289 Bill promotes PHRs, Personal Health Records

Recommends using a combination of public and private funds and actually provides a financial incentive to physicians to promote their use. SV


Personalized Health Information Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to provide financial incentives for the establishment of interactive qualifying personal health records for Medicare and other patients and their health care providers in order to: (1) provide patients access to and control over their personal health data and information and educational information; and (2) make available to authorized health care providers a more accurate minimum data set of patient information. Directs that under the program each qualified physician receives an incentive payment for each qualifying patient.

HR 6289

Lenovo recalls Thinkpad batteries

Be ready for more recalls to come. SV

Lenovo is currently offering free-of-charge replacement batteries due to two unrelated battery recalls. You may click here to determine if your battery has been recalled. In the interest of public safety, Lenovo will offer customers free-of-charge replacement batteries for all recalled batteries.

McKesson Acquires Practice Partner

Here comes more market consolidation. SV

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) today announced the acquisition of Physician Micro Systems, Inc., known as Practice Partner, a leading provider of integrated software for electronic health records (EHRs), medical billing and appointment scheduling for independent physician practices. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The acquisition, along with recently acquired Per-Se Technologies, Inc., supports McKesson’s commitment to provide a complete solution – including software, billing and collection services, supplies and connectivity – to physician practices regardless of size, specialty or geographic location.
“We’ve built strong momentum with our Connecting PhysiciansSM strategy, which is focused on helping hospitals to reduce traditional EHR adoption barriers by collaborating with local physician practices to provide a single record for inpatient and ambulatory care,” said Pamela Pure, president, McKesson Provider Technologies. “With Practice Partner, McKesson is now positioned to automate independent physician offices and to deploy EHR technology to help drive safer, more efficient care.”



McKesson

Florida Electronic Medical Data Network Could Cost over $50 Million

TAMPA - It's going to cost Florida about $51 million to build a secure superhighway for electronic medical information, according to an estimate released Tuesday.

But the money doesn't have to be spent all at once, author Paul Gionfriddo says. Besides, he wrote, the resulting Florida Health Information Network will pay for itself many times over.

Exchange of health care information gives citizens better, safer medical treatment and saves money for hospitals and others, from insurers and employers to state and local governments, wrote Gionfriddo, director of the Palm Beach County Community Health Alliance.


The Tampa Tribune

Medical Slate (Tablet PC) from Intel and Phillips

This is the second unit of this type released by Intel.
The first was from Motion Computing.
More details as they become available. SV



Here is the link on Motion Computing

MSSNY/ACP/RCMS Health Information Tech Seminar: Feb 28, 2007, 6 PM

I would like to extend an invitation to attend this seminar.

It will be held

at The Staaten, 697 Forest Avenue, Staten Island
6:00 Registration - 6:15 Dinner Program

To register, call Terri, at 718.442-7267

Course Objectives: Program attendees will:

. Examine the challenges presented by our current healthcare system and how those challenges have become. a driving force behind Health In formation Technology;
. Identify the architecture or strategic plan for change;
. Explore the reasons for bringing HIT into the physician’s office and the risks and benefits involved in this transition.
. Outline the path to Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and the personal perspectives of those who utilize EHRs;
. Discuss the implications of HIT for the future of medicine and the provision of healthcare.


The current series of CME Seminars have been well received to date.

Use this link to check for the remaining dates:

MSSNY.ORG

New tablet designed for the medical market: The Motion C5, a MCA, Mobile Clinical Assistant device

The size, weight and features look pretty good.
At 3.1 lbs, it weighs less than most of my office charts!
Please let us know of your experience using EHRs with tablet screens under 12 inches.
We plan to post a review when the device is made available. SV


SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20, 2007 – Motion Computing®, a leader in ultramobile computing and wireless communications, today announced its new C5 mobile clinical assistant (MCA) at UCSF Medical Center during a joint conference with Intel. The MCA is a new computing category, created by Intel with support from Motion to enable nurses, physicians and other clinicians to do their jobs on the move.

The Motion C5, the first product in the MCA category, integrates durable design elements with key point-of-care data and image capture technologies to simplify workflows, ease clinician workloads and improve overall quality of care. Designed based on input from thousands of clinicians worldwide, the C5 brings reliable, automated patient data management directly to the point of care. Intel and Motion conducted extensive user level, ethnographic, human factors, time/motion and clinical workflow research. This research resulted in clear requirements for a purpose-built mobile device.

* Genuine Windows® Vista™ Business or
Genuine Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition
* Intel® Centrino® Mobile Technology
- Intel® Core Solo Processor U1400 (1.20GHz)
- Integrated Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945 ABG network connection
* 512MB RAM (Upgradeable to 1.5GB max)
* 30GB HDD (60GB option)

Key Features and Options
- Highly durable design with magnesium-alloy internal frame
and elastomer overmolding
- Highly sealed, disinfectable chassis
- Optional integrated 1D/2D barcode scanner
- Integrated 13.56MHz RFID reader
- Integrated 13.56MHz HF passive RFID tag
- Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- One-year standard warranty
(upgradeable to two or three years)

Flash Demo

Motion Computing

CCHIT Request for Public Comment:
Final Round for Ambulatory EHR 2007

The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT), a voluntary, private-sector initiative to certify HIT products, welcomes comments on its Proposed Final Criteria and Test Scripts for certification of Ambulatory EHRs for 2007. Public comments must be submitted on-line between February 14 and February 28, 2007. (Please note submitted comments may be published later on our website.)

The newest materials for the Inpatient EHR domain will be published separately on February 16, 2007. Comments on that material may be submitted from February 16 through March 16, 2007.

CCHIT

Michigan Medical PC invests $35 Million for electronic medical records


In committing to spend $35 million in the coming years to fully implement electronic medical records, Michigan Medical PC aims to make patient data readily accessible when needed.

The new system MMPC is buying from Madison, Wisc.-based Epic Systems Inc. will significantly elevate the medical group's use of electronic medical records.


Mlive.com

Vassar Brothers Medical Center will use a grant to update Health Information system

Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie will be undergoing major changes thanks to a large donation from the Dyson Foundation.

Foundation President Robert Dyson announced Wednesday it will donate $5 million to Health Quest Inc., the nonprofit parent corporation of the hospital, as a part of the foundation’s 50th anniversary celebration.

The grant will go toward upgrading the information technology at Vassar Brothers, as well as at Health Quest’s other two local hospitals, Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel and Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck.

Vassar Brothers

The Medical Society of the State of New York provides seed money for EHR collabrative projects.

This is a wonderful opportunity for primary care practices in New York.
Good luck with your applications!

Click on the link for an application. SV

The Medical Society of the State of New York has received a grant from the New York State Department of Health to be dispensed as seed funding to collaborating physicians to purchase electronic health record technology and participate in the exchange of patient health information.

MSSNY

MARSHFIELD CLINIC'S ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD FIRST INTERNALLY-DEVELOPED PROGRAM IN THE NATION TO RECEIVE CCHIT CERTIFICATION


This a great a great achievement by a healthcare provider organization. SV

CCHIT today announced that Marshfield Clinic is CCHIT CertifiedSM for its product – CattailsMD (Version 5) – and meets CCHIT ambulatory EHR criteria for 2006. Ambulatory EHRs are designed for clinics and physician offices where most Americans get their health care.

“This certification acknowledges the comprehensiveness of Marshfield Clinic's EHR,” said Carl Christensen, chief information officer, Marshfield Clinic.

Marshall Clinic

Cardinal Health will provide Dossia, a PHR (personal health record) to its employees

What a novel idea: A health care company promoting health technology to improve the care of its employees and retirees, bravo! SV

Cardinal Health is first health-care company to fund development of Dossia, the personal, private, portable health record system for individuals.

Cardinal Health is the first health-care company to join Dossia, which was first announced in Washington, D.C. in December 2006. Fellow Dossia Founders Group members include Applied Materials, BP America, Inc., Intel Corporation, Pitney Bowes, Inc. and Wal-Mart. Dublin, Ohio-based Cardinal Health ranks 19th on the Fortune 500, with more than 55,000 employees and annual sales of $81 billion.

Cardinal.com

CCHIT adds 18 more products to its certification list for a total of 55

CCHIT estimates that approximately 25% of EHRs are now certified!

Going EHR continues to get easier, more variety and more price points. SV

List of products

* Advanced Data Systems Corporation (MedicsDocAssistant 3.0)
* Catalis (Accelerator Graphical Health Record 4.111)
* Encite (TouchChart 3.3)
* Henry Schein Medical Systems (MicroMD EMR 4.5)
* InteGreat Concepts, Inc. (IC-Chart Release 6.0)
* LSS Data Systems (Medical and Practice Management (MPM) Suite MAGIC Version 5.5, Service Release 2.1)
* LifeWatch (TIME 7.100)
* Marshfield Clinic (CattailsMD Version 5)
* MedAZ.net (MEDAZ 60720.001)
* Medicat (Medicat 8.8)
* MedicWare (MedicWare EMR 7)
* MedInformatix (MedInformatix V 6.0)
* Meditab Software (Intelligent Medical Software (IMS) 2007)
* Pulse Systems (Pulse Patient Relationship Management 3.1.1)
* Spring Medical Systems (SpringCharts EHR 9.0)
* SSIMED (Emrge 6.0 Release 1.0)
* Universal Software Solutions (VersaSuite 7.5)
* Visionary Medical Systems (Visionary Dream EMR 7.1)

CCHIT

American Medical Association (AMA) has launched a Health Information Technology Site

The site provides an overview of HIT, recommendations on choosing a vendor, recommendations on implementation, as well as various policy papers.
Here's another good reason to pay your dues. SV

AMA

ACP Releases Comprehensive Reforms to Move towards Patient-Centered Care


Health Information Technology will assist in achieving these reforms. Recent government and private grant programs will help get the process initiated. SV

ACP

Steve Case (formally of AOL) has launched a health site,

Many services are being offered including a Personal Health Record and Hospital/Physician ratings.

Let us know what you think about the site and how it compares to such sites as
AARP, INTELIHEALTH, MEDEM and WEBMD. SV



revolutionhealth

www.aarp.org

www.intelihealth.com

www.medem.com

www.webmd.com

Connecticut Governor Rell announces $5 million grant from CMS to expand use of electronic health care records

This an excellent application of the Medicaid Transformation Grant which has been awarded to 27 states. SV


Norwich Bulletin

CMS

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle proposes $30M plan to convert to electronic medical records

The seed money is being creatively allocated. SV

Gov. Jim Doyle said Thursday that he would ask lawmakers to approve a $30 million program to encourage health care providers to install electronic medical records systems.

Doyle proposed a $20 million grant program to help nonprofit organizations transition from less reliable paper documents to technology that he said would reduce medical errors and improve quality. For-profit hospitals and doctors would be eligible for an additional $10 million in tax credits to help cover their costs.

Twincities.com

Wellpoint will pay physicians to e-Prescribe

While not a large sum is being offered, it may start a new trend of sharing the financial benefits with physician practices. SV

Anthem's test program will provide money to 100 physicians in Ohio's Dayton and Youngstown areas to help pay for the technology. Participating physicians will be reimbursed up to $750 for computer hardware, as well as the $40 a month cost for the e-prescribing service.

Indystar.com

Wisconsin eHealth Board Implementation Summit scheduled for March 15,2007

eHealth Board

Brooklyn's Lutheran Medical Center Selects Medsphere OpenVista® for Electronic Health Record Deployment

OpenVista is being recognized as an affordable option by non-federal organizations. SV

Medsphere Systems Corporation, the leading commercial provider of open source-based electronic health record (EHR) systems and services, today announced a five-year agreement to supply and deploy its OpenVista® EHR platform at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. The installation is designed to improve patient care and operations in the 476-bed facility by providing better data capture, computerized provider order entry, an integrated view of all patient information for clinical decision support, and related benefits.


Medsphere

Newt Gingrich and Janet Dillione article on Health Information Technology

Philadelphia has a proud history of leadership in health care. Philadelphia is home to the nation's first hospital, first medical school, and first medical society.

Over the last 250 years, those seeds have grown into a $2-trillion-a-year system, with more than 800,000 doctors and 6,000 hospitals. But far too often, today's doctors and hospitals are using tools and technology that, relatively speaking, are from a distant age.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Texans favor e-tracking in health care

More than three quarters of Texans think a greater use of electronic record keeping would improve the quality and efficiency of health care, according to a new poll.

Forty-three percent of respondents predicted that digital records would bring major improvement, and 33 percent predicted minor improvement. The statewide survey was commissioned by Dell Inc. and conducted by Zogby International.

Houston Chronicle

Congress Passes Measure to Prevent Medication Errors at Hospitals

This measure will require a major technology investment for hospitals which may require assistance to jump start the process. SV

The bill passed by both the Senate and the House requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop quality standards, including medication safety measures, that the Secretary determines will improve hospital quality. Hospitals that do not disclose whether they have adopted the new standards will be penalized by receiving reduced Medicare reimbursements. This requirement will build on quality control measures recently implemented as part of the Deficit Reduction Act. Possible safety measures could include:



Electronic prescribing to prevent errors because pharmacy staff cannot read handwriting or dosage information;
Bar coding of individual dosages with scanners that can compare the patient record with the drug to be administered both at the time order is filled in the pharmacy and at the patient bedside;
Using smart IV infusion pumps that alert nurses if the dose exceeds hospital-established limits before infusion begins.

lugar.senate.gov

NEPSI: FREE electronic prescribing…for every physician in America

This is possibly the Free Market at its best. Mulitple vendors with a common goal coming together to provide a solution that benefits all. This a great role model for other similar ventures. Hopefully, the system will be interoperable with many of the deployed EHRs and PHRs. SV


The National ePrescribing Patient Safety Initiative (NEPSI) is a joint project of dedicated organizations that each play a unique role in resolving the current crisis in preventable medication errors.

Electronic prescribing (eRx) is a viable solution to counter shortcomings of the current paper-based prescribing processes that are in large part responsible for these errors. However, accessibility and cost barriers have slowed adoption of eRx by providers.

Until now.

The goal of NEPSI is to increase patient safety by making eRx accessible—and desirable—to all physicians by providing it free of charge.

The eRx software provided by NEPSI is

Simple – Online prescribing is easier than a script pad

Smart – Instant checks on drug interactions, dosage levels and patient-specific factors including prior adverse reactions

Safe – Patient information protected by privacy and security measures including physician authentication


NEPSI

eRX NOW

Gov. Joe Manchin of West Virginia supports e Prescribing

Once this goes through, there will only be two states not supporting e Prescribing and its advantages. SV

West Virginia is one of only three states in the country with laws preventing the fully automated electronic prescription of medication, but that could soon change.

In his State of the State speech Wednesday, Gov. Joe Manchin highlighted so called “e-prescriptions” as one of his key health care initiatives, and by Friday morning, a bill allowing the practice had been introduced in the Senate.

Sending prescriptions electronically from physicians’ offices to pharmacies could cut down on error, reduce abuse of prescription drugs and potentially save West Virginia millions of dollars annually, according to advocates.

WeirtonDailyTimes.com

UNMC (University of Nebraska Medical School) introduces Web-based health record (PHR4me) for students

UNMC will be a using product by HDC 4point dynamics. HDC says their product is interoperable with other products.
It's great that a medical school will the raise awarence for the need of such products by future physicians. SV

UNMC has announced plans for what is believed to be the first time an academic organization has established a Web-based Personal Health Record program for all its students. In contrast with medical records that are owned by doctors or hospitals, a PHR is owned by the patient and is part of a national effort to involve patients in their own health care.

Our Blog site now features Epocrates MedSearch!


Scoll to the bottom of the page.

The Epocrates MedSearch tool allows you to instantly access clinical information on more than 3,300 drugs.

Apple Mac Tablet will soon be available from Axiotron


This looks like a great addition for those of use who use "slates" or "convertable tablets" with our EHRs. SV


Let us know about your experiences with the device.

eShop


Axiotron

St. Lukes's Health System in Idaho choses eClinicalWorks


eClinicalWorks continues to attract large group practices. SV

St. Luke’s Health System, the largest healthcare provider in Idaho, which also serves eastern Oregon and northern Nevada, has chosen eClinicalWorks unified electronic medical records (EMR) and practice management (PM) solution to streamline practice operations between locations and from patient check-in to check-out. Initially, there are nearly 300 providers implementing the client/server version of eClinicalWorks EMR/PM that will also make use of an interface that eClinicalWorks is developing with Siemens, St. Luke’s hospital information system.

eClinicalWorks

Conference:How Health Information Technology affects the Patient Experience, January 19, 2007 Farmington, CT

How has information technology been deployed to ease the patients' encounter, either by making it more informative, more efficient, or just more fun. This event will feature a number of speakers and healthcare settings to demonstrate how they have used information technology to better the "patient experience".

Questions about this event should be directed to Steve McDonald or call at (781) 982-8400 x308.

To register online click here

Living wills and Health care directives will be hosted on an Idaho government registry web site

This will be an invaluable resource in case of emergencies. SV

www.sos.idaho.gov

Innovative Transaction Fee Model Designed for Multiple Payors to Create Recurring Revenues and Funding for Future Zixcorp Pocketscript(R) e-Prescribing Deployments

It looks like there is growing momentum behind paying per e-precription.
If anyone knows the name of the other vendor, please let us know. SV

Zix Corporation (ZixCorp(R)), (Nasdaq:ZIXI), the leader in hosted services for email encryption and e-prescribing, today announced a contract for a new 500-physician e-prescribing program, to be split evenly between ZixCorp and another vendor. In addition to a full sponsorship for each prescriber's deployment and first year of service, the contract also contains a $1 per qualified e-script transaction fee beginning in the first year and going forward, the majority of which will go to ZixCorp to cover on-going annual prescriber licenses and other costs associated with providing the service. The remainder of these transaction fees will be used to fund future deployments of additional prescribers, creating a self-perpetuating expansion model. The total dollar value of these script fees will be a function of the number of payors who ultimately choose to participate in the program.

Zixcorp