News

CPOE glitch causes patients to receive wrong meds, nurses say

A glitch causing medication orders to be passed on to the wrong patients is just one of several problems with a new computerized physician order entry system being implemented at Marin General Hospital, according to nurses at the Greenbrae, Calif., facility.

Patience will define Tavenner's tenure, health IT leaders say

The ability to listen first and take action second has been key to Marilyn Tavenner's success in leading the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services since 2010, according to several FierceHealthIT Editorial Advisory Board members. However, they say, how well she continues to practice such patience in the face of politics will be what ultimately defines her tenure at CMS.

Implanted cardiac devices could be subject to tampering

Sensors made to pick up a heart's rhythm in implanted cardiac defibrillators and pacemakers could be subject to tampering, according to research from the University of Michigan.

Maturity model offers guidance for ACOs

Electronic health record technology alone will not be sufficient to implement accountable care, according to a new report.

Algorithm helps to predict stroke risks

A new predictive tool in the form of a risk algorithm--dubbed QStroke--can help to identify and treat patients at risk of having a stroke, according to research recently published in BMJ.

New technology IDs brain trauma via wireless signals

A new study published in PLOS One highlights how wireless signals could transform brain trauma diagnostics, via new technology developed at the University of California, Berkeley--in the form of a coil-like device that fits around one's head like a helmet.

Bed management a hot opportunity in hospital software market

Bed-management applications represent one of the hottest software markets in HIMSS Analytics' new report, "Essentials of the U.S. Hospital IT Market." The report profiles 24...

Healthcare communicators prefer YouTube over other social media channels

A new study in the Journal of Communication in Healthcare on social media use among healthcare communications professionals reveals that YouTube is the preferred medium over LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

For ACO success, take a deep dive into the data

Rather than focusing only on the data presented when a patient appears for treatment, ACOs should drill down into the data to find patients with gaps in their care, according to Wanda Kochhar, founder and chief executive officer at analytics service provider Outcomes Health Information Solutions.

Athenahealth's Bush unimpressed by current VC funding for health IT

Jonathan Bush, CEO of Watertown, Mass.-based electronic health record vendor Athenahealth, is not impressed with the current levels of venture capital funding flowing into health information technology startups.

To ensure funds for your hospital's IT security efforts, be proactive

If you're looking to ensure funding for your healthcare organization's security efforts, you'd be wise to take a proactive approach, according to hospital IT personnel.

AMA: Computers in exam room don't have to be disruptive

Physicians' overall comfort with computers and communication skills determine whether technology is a positive or negative influence during patient visits, according to a new report from the American Medical Association board of trustees. The five-page paper, "Exam Room Computing & Patient- Physician Interactions" is being presented for approval to the AMA House of Delegates meeting this week in Chicago.

Medical center rolls out burn, stroke telemedicine programs; Availity study shows payers want info in real time;

News From Around the Web > In State College, Pa., Mount Nittany Medical Center recently rolled out two telemedicine programs focusing on treating burn victims and stroke patients. Brian Joho,...

AMA board discourages skipping ahead to ICD-11

Despite concerns about the relatively short timeframe to implement ICD-10, skipping ahead to ICD-11 is not a good alternative, according to a new report published by the American Medical Association's board of trustees.According to the report, such a move is "fraught with its own pitfalls."

Across the U.S., healthcare organizations suffer data breaches

More than 21,000 patients have been impacted by a trio of recent healthcare data breaches throughout the U.S.

 

U.S. docs hesitant in adoption of health IT tools

Despite a feeling of inevitability regarding the use of integrated technology healthcare, the bulk of U.S. physicians remain hesitant in their adoption of such tools for direct patient care, according to a newly published analysis by consulting firm Deloitte.

HHS to developers: Data must be more useful

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services needs to find better ways to make its troves of health data useful for technology innovators, Bryan Sivak, HHS chief technology officer, told developers at the recent Health: Refactored conference in Mountain View, Calif.

New online tool tracks doc prescribing habits

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has been lax in overseeing unsafe prescribing patterns for patients on Medicaid Part D, and has done little to thwart questionable prescribing practices, according to an analysis by ProPublica, an independent newsroom that performs investigative journalism in the public interest.

Telemedicine on track for a mainstream breakthrough

All signs point to telemedicine entering the mainstream healthcare industry. Maybe it's fresh on my mind because the American Telemedicine Association's annual conference--which took place...

Patient ID with the swipe of a license?

Headed to the doctor's office in Texas? Soon, you may be able to bring only your driver's license.