Digital Government

Medicare bill rewards providers for e-prescribing

Beginning in October, doctors would get bonuses for using e-prescribing and face fee reductions if they don't adopt the technology by 2012.

People

Battlefield medics use medical reference databases

Two resources on now available on CD for users of Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care systems.

Digital Government

Military medical intelligence center gets a new name

The National Center for Medical Intelligence's new responsibilities reflect expanded relationships with the Homeland Security Department, the White House, the State Department and other agencies.

Digital Government

Calif. health district deal would eliminate faxes

Palomar Pomerado Health taps Novo Innovations to link San Diego-area physicians — including those without EMRs — to a health care grid.

Digital Government

Process for standing up the AHIC successor becomes clearer

An 18-member board is likely to be announced at the end of September.

Digital Government

DEA proposes rules to allow e-prescribing of controlled substances

Agency solicits public comments on its plans for heavy-duty security in all systems and third-party ID verification.

Digital Government

ONC budget not likely to increase

Both houses of Congress are considering appropriations bills that would hold spending by the health IT office near this year's level.

Digital Government

D.C. RHIO will be connected by Microsoft Amalga

Association of clinics selects product developed and used at local hospitals.

Digital Government

Privacy provisions threaten health IT bill

A House subcommittee has approved H.R. 6357, but some lawmakers say its privacy protections are too broad.

People

AHLTA takes hits in latest Web hall

In an open Web forum, defense health providers voiced frustration with the quality and features of DOD’s electronic medical record system.

Digital Government

E-prescribing of controlled drugs could be allowed soon

The Drug Enforcement Administration plans to propose a rule change that would lift requirements for paper prescriptions for painkillers and other potentially dangerous drugs.

Digital Government

Feud erupts over forecasts of health IT's long-term costs

Rand Corp. and Congressional Budget Office publicly criticize one another's analyses.

Digital Government

CCHIT sets tests for inpatient, ER e-health records

The Certification Commission for Healthcare IT has approved criteria for certifying inpatient, emergency room and a new category of enterprise EHRs.

Digital Government

4 percent of U.S. doctors use EHRs, new study finds

Study's authors say they are troubled by the results of their survey, which shows minimal increase in usage.

Digital Government

To help consumers, CMS will rate nursing homes

Nursing homes will get up to five stars in a new, easy-to-grasp format for CMS' Web site.

People

Army goes online to manage personnel weight loss program

The service will use Adobe software and the Web to apply a consistent weight-loss regimen for service members.

Digital Government

Software cements standards into health info exchanges

Healthvision unveils software adapter to help incorporate health IT standards into health information exchanges and systems.

People

Defense health IT shop reorganizes

A shakeup consolidates “like product lines” for clinical health IT and health business systems in separate program offices and managers are named.

Digital Government

Letter: Health care spending increases may not lead to health IT increases

A reader writes that medical advances led to health care spending, not information technology.