While no one technology or protocol will be able to unify the nation’s electronic medical records and provide true interoperability, Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) is aiming to provide a reliable pathway into data about patient populations and allow that information to be readily available and serve as a base set of resources that,
March 29, 2016 | By Lawrence G |
It is the job of many to be concerned with the security of medical information that is passed back and forth between institutions and is saved in programs and on servers around the globe. It is also becoming increasingly important that the security of internet connected medical machines such as x-ray machines,
March 15, 2016 | By Lawrence G |
Electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS) improves patient safety and care. It plays an important part in helping to fight America’s opioid abuse epidemic by eliminating the exposure of a practitioner’s signature and DEA number. 21 million original prescriptions for opioids were written, not including refills,
March 8, 2016 | By Lawrence G |
Mount Pleasant Texas facility Titus Regional Medical Center and Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center are just two recent examples of hackers accessing systems of major medical providers. In these two cases, hackers demanded ransom in order to turn the systems back over to the owners.
March 1, 2016 | By Lawrence G |
As Apple refuses to comply (Apple CEO Tim Cook says that they do not have the technology and it is too dangerous to create) with the court ruling for them to create a backdoor into iPhones, many are scrutinizing the security of health data that is held electronically. If a backdoor to access any device or service is created,
February 22, 2016 | By Lawrence G |
Respiratory care provider, Lincare, was ordered to pay a $239,800 fine by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR). “While OCR prefers to resolve issues through voluntary compliance, this case shows that we will take the steps necessary, including litigation, to obtain adequate remedies for violations of the HIPAA Rules,”
February 16, 2016 | By Lawrence G |
Interoperability refers to systems that allow providers to share data among different practitioners, insurers, billing/scheduling systems and health information exchanges improving quality of patient care, improving efficiency of reporting and data filing, and making life saving information more readily available.
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) recently released its 80-page 2016 Interoperability Standards Advisory.
February 8, 2016 | By Lawrence G |
Cloud computing refers to the process of sharing resources to optimize performance. Instead of relying on a single machine, cloud-based systems utilize a network of computers to store and process information. This shift offers significant benefits to medical practices, particularly those with limited operating budgets.
Cost-Effectiveness:
One major advantage of cloud-based Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems is their cost-effectiveness.
January 28, 2016 | By Lawrence G |
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) they have been working with physician and consumer communities and have listened to their needs and concerns – and this has led to the demise of Meaningful Use.
This came on the heels of American Medical Association (AMA) President Steven J.
January 21, 2016 | By Lawrence G |
Legislation was recently passed which will allow hardship exemptions from financial penalties for failing to meet Stage 2 meaningful use electronic health record (EHR) requirements in 2015. Spearheaded by Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) and as reported on Practice of the Future, “A patient-centered health care system relies on the principles of quality and responsiveness.
January 8, 2016 | By Lawrence G |