Digital Government

HHS panel considers central authority for health IT vocabulary

A central authority may be needed to oversee common vocabulary terms for health data exchange and electronic health records.

People

HHS awards $162M for health data exchanges

The Health and Human Services Department has announced the final group of states that will get economic stimulus law money for statewide health information exchanges.

Digital Government

What HHS' entry into e-health record certification means

It remains to be seen whether HHS'Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released yesterday is a game changer for certification of electronic health records.

Digital Government

E-health record system certification requests rise sharply

Since Feb. 12, 46 vendors have applied for certification of their digital record systems from the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology.

Modernization

Surgeon general collaborates with Microsoft for online e-record management

The U.S. surgeon general is expanding its online tool to allow consumers to assemble their family medical histories by adding links to Microsoft's HealthVault Personal Health Record application.

Digital Government

HHS awards $100M for pediatric e-health records

The Health and Human Services Department is investing in the development of pediatric electronic health records in 18 states.

Digital Government

Hospitals face compliance problems with HITECH Act

Hospitals are coping with new privacy and security regulations for health information technology that went into effect Feb. 17.

Digital Government

Committee considers changes to meaningful use definition of EHRs

A health IT policy committee is meeting tomorrow to discuss modifications to the recent proposed regulations for the "meaningful use" of electronic health records.

Digital Government

HHS Open Government Web site snowed by bad timing?

As of today, only three people have commented on the new Open HHS Blog. That seems to suggest a slow start to the discussion about how HHS can be more transparent and more accessible.

Digital Government

HHS budget highlights IT initiatives

The Health and Human Services Department's proposed $81 billion discretionary budget for fiscal 2011 includes a few nuggets of increased IT spending.

Digital Government

Federal contracts for health IT might be less than you think

The federal government is spending about $900 million this year on direct contracts for health IT, according to FedSources expert Ray Bjorklund.

Digital Government

How not to find out you have cancer

Doctors and patients could need help dealing with digital health records.

Acquisition

Did CDC violate contract rules? Agency, auditors disagree

The HHS inspector general is accusing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of violating federal acquisition rules prohibiting personal services contracts, while CDC's director insists no violation has occurred.

People

EHRs: HHS walks a tightrope

The department needs to set the bar low enough to get broad adoption and high enough to achieve its goals for improving quality.

People

Data-driven health care: Will doctors buy in?

Many doctors are not convinced that data collection leads to better care or that the federal government can help them do their jobs better.

Digital Government

Key ingredient missing from e-health records, advisers say

The Health and Human Services Department might have missed an opportunity to improve health care quality by including physician narrative notes within Electronic Health Record systems, according to a federal advisory panel.

Digital Government

HHS rules on electronic health records have broad impact

Panelists dissected the new HHS proposed rules for distributing $17 billion in incentive payments for health IT systems under the economic stimulus law.

People

HHS plan calls for improved communications, IT systems

The Health and Human Services Department has released the nation's first health security strategy, which includes some technologies for improving communications.

People

HHS panel considers authentication standards for NHIN

A federal advisory panel met today to consider how to conduct identity proofing and authentication for the Nationwide Health Information Network.

Digital Government

HHS pumps $60M into research on health IT adoption

HHS officials today announced a new program with $60 million for research on overcoming the barriers to adoption of electronic health records.