4 Things to Know About the Zika Virus and Health IT

Similar to the Ebola virus outbreak in 2014, healthcare IT will play a critical role in tracking the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes flulike symptoms in patients and is particularly concerning for pregnant women. The virus is currently spreading in South America, Central America and the Caribbean, and disease surveillance technology is key […]

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Healthcare Patient Portals: Millennials vs. Baby Boomers (Infographic)

Though the ages and year-of-birth boundaries are a bit fuzzy in defining millennials and baby boomers, the two generations certainly process information differently. They also have vastly different healthcare needs and concerns, which is why it's important to know how healthcare patient portals can engage both generations. Since millennials grew up with technology, they use their smartphones […]

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Health IT Enables Course for Improved Patient Care

The 26th annual HIMSS Leadership Survey, unveiled at the 2015 HIMSS Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago, reveals that 68% of the survey's 330 respondents believe health IT is successfully improving the health experience Triple Aim: boosting the patient experience, reducing the costs of healthcare and advancing population health outcomes. The Triple Aim, developed by the Institute for […]

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Checking Up on Physician Adoption of Health IT [Infographic]

The year ahead is shaping up as a critical one for physician adoption of health IT.  Starting in 2015, eligible providers are subject to Medicare reimbursement penalties if they fail to participate in the Medicare Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program. Then on October 1, if there are no further delays, the ICD-10 implementation deadline kicks in triggering a mandatory switchover […]

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AMDIS 2014: A View From The Edge

With more acronyms than you can shake an EHR at, the Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems (AMDIS) Physician-Computer Connection Symposium was a conference with an edge – at times edgy with dissonance, at times pushing to the edge of our knowledge and capabilities, at times the cutting edge of growth and change. Held […]

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Meaningful Use Postponement, Reassessment Are Positive Developments

On May 20, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) allowed providers another year to remain at Stage 1 of Meaningful Use, and the 2011 edition of CEHRT may be used for 2014. In addition, 2017 was confirmed as the start date for Stage 3. For some, unlike the ICD-10 delay, this postponement, confirmation […]

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Advice From a HIT Man: Take the Meaningful Use Cannoli

In "The Godfather," the character Peter Clemenza reminds us that even in violent, turbulent times, something sweet can be salvaged. As we all assess and improvise after the ICD-10 delay, we can’t ignore the cannoli. Meaningful Use Stage 2 and the ICD-10 adoption were aligned to create “the perfect storm.” They are now offset by a […]

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The Great Divide: Some Closing Thoughts on HIMSS14

Walking the halls of the Orlando Convention Center at HIMSS14 this past week, I was aware of a great divide. As one approached the vendor booths, information systems in healthcare were portrayed as successful and benefit-laden. As one walked the aisles with hands-on providers, those same systems were seen as increasingly expensive, disruptive and barren. […]

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Checking for Vital Signs at HIMSS14

There’s a reason why they are called vital signs. By looking at temperature, pulse, blood pressure and respiratory rate, physicians can assess the status and direction of a patient’s health. Although my practice days are over, I’m eager to check the vital signs of healthcare IT next week at HIMSS14. By most accounts, the patient […]

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