telehealth

CO to create country's largest telehealth network

Anne Zieger — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:46:13 -0400

Colorado should soon play host to the largest telehealth network in the country, courtesy of a $4.6 million grant from the Federal Communications Commission. The Colorado Hospital Association, which is getting the grant, will develop the network over a three year period. The initial money will be supplemented by an additional $9.8 million from a grant managed by the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council.

The FCC is covering 85 percent of the cost of building out the network, including design and engineering, hardware and installation for public and not-for-profit hospitals and clinics. To date, 72 hospitals, 118 clinics and 184 mental health centers have come on board to participate in the network. Each will get 15 percent in matching funds for participating in the telehealth network.

To learn more about the network:
- read this Healthcare IT News article

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Medicare law offers IT incentives

Anne Zieger — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:30:23 -0400

Last week, physicians sighed with relief as the threatened 10.6 percent Medicare cut was put on hold for 18 months despite a presidential veto. The bill didn't just protect physician reimbursement levels, however. It also included incentives for doctors to get more wired. Critics remain skeptical that such incentives will get physicians off the fence, but this is at least a start. Until now, no one on the Hill seemed to be able to agree on an approach.

The new law offers Medicare incentives for doctors who adopt healthcare IT as well as those who use e-prescriptions--a move proponents said could ultimately help cut medication errors and healthcare costs generally. The bill also expanded the list of telehealth originating sites (sites qualified to get paid for initiating a telehealth transaction) to include hospital-based renal dialysis centers, skilled nursing facilities and community mental health centers.

To learn more about the legislation:
- read this Healthcare IT News piece

Related Article:
Bill halting MD Medicare cuts approved by Congress

ALSO NOTED: Telemedicine system links India, Ethiopia;KY county lets EMTs send patient data wirelessly; and much more...

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> Here's an interesting telehealth project; a new pilot has linked hospitals in rural Ethiopia with India's leading cardiac institute. Article

> Officials in Louisville-Jefferson County, KY have bought a $2.1 million electronic patient care recording system that allows its EMTs to capture patient info digitally and wirelessly transmit the data to hospitals. Article

> A California medical practice is rolling out an EMR system with help from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Article

> A California multi-site primary care and specialist network has set plans to offer patients a set of online administrative tools, including a PHR. Article

And Finally... Want to see what an EMR looked like circa 1961? Check this out. Video