Digital Government

Flu plan burdens public health agencies

State and local officials seek more funds to collect vaccine data

Digital Government

EHR certification will be put to the test

Health IT commission will test its certification process for e-health record software products in December, with actual certification set for March.

Digital Government

Wisconsin automating health care information

A new board will develop a plan to automate all health care information systems by 2010.

People

Medical publishers still battling NIH

NIH says links to publishers' sites would not help NIH achieve its goal of creating a permanent, integrated research archive.

People

FDA to list approved products in online archive

The Food and Drug Administration is demanding that manufacturers submit information printed on prescription drug labels in a new electronic format.

Digital Government

Pandemic flu plan calls for massive data collection

A provision that would require state and local health departments to gather data on the distribution and use of antiviral medications could be a tall order.

Digital Government

CMS finalizes e-prescribing rules

The standard is expected to accelerate the adoption of e-prescribing systems.

Digital Government

Bush calls for $7.1B to prepare for bird flu

He unveiled a national plan and asked all 50 states to develop localized plans, but critics say states do not have enough funding.

Digital Government

Editorial: Winged migration

The recent appearance of avian flu in Eastern Europe is no cause for panic, but it provides a good impetus for better preparation.

Digital Government

In bird flu watch, CDC searches for warning signs

Automated system will monitor data feeds from emergency rooms

Digital Government

Commission recommends patient ID standard

The congressionally created Commission on Systemic Interoperability, a federal advisory body, recommended in its final report that the government "develop a national standard for determining patient authentication and identity."

Digital Government

Bush to unveil U.S. pandemic plan tomorrow

The president's speech will come less than a week after the Senate approved the HHS appropriations bill, including an amendment tagging $8 billion for combating avian flu.

Digital Government

Bill would protect patient privacy

Legislation calls for a single set of national rules to protect the privacy of patients whose information is exchanged over a national health information network.

Digital Government

Improved global disease surveillance systems needed

Health ministers from more than 30 countries urge the development of national flu pandemic plans.

Digital Government

Commission recommends patient ID standard

The Commission on Systemic Interoperability issued a report that calls for health information standards but doesn’t offer specifics.

People

New Zealand preps pandemic flu plans

Continuity plan covers critical infrastructure, such as telecommunications, transportation, electricity, water, sewage and natural gas and petroleum.

People

Australia hosts international e-health conference

Representatives from several countries seek common ground among e-health systems at defense and veterans affairs departments.

Digital Government

Canada hosts international flu conference

Meeting is intended to encourage global focus on reducing risks of an influenza pandemic.

Digital Government

Don’t overlook research needs, organization says

The research community does not want to be forgotten as the national health information network is built.

People

U.K. ahead of U.S. in pandemic planning

The United Kingdom has released its second influenza pandemic contingency plan since March, while the United States still works to develop and release its plan.