People

Medical claims database could aid research on best treatments

The Health and Human Services Department announced plans to use economic stimulus law funding to create a new database of medical claims for all payors nationwide.

Digital Government

HHS beefs up health IT coordinator's office

The Health and Human Services Department's Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology will double in size to prepare for regulations.

Digital Government

Stimulus funds to pay for EHRs at federal centers

The Obama administration said it will spend $88 million on electronic health record systems at networks of federally supported health centers.

People

Sebelius outlines open government projects

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius seeks to make government more open by sponsoring a YouTube video contest and a Web site for CDC employees.

People

FDA readies new data systems for drug safety

The Food and Drug Administration will expand its tracking of drug safety once the drugs enter the marketplace, according to a new report.

Digital Government

HHS to award $235M in health IT grants to local communities

The Health and Human Services Department will fund 15 communities to demonstrate the use of digital health records.

People

HHS updates acquisition regs with new rules for transparency, green purchasing

The Health and Human Services Department is doing its first major update to its acquisition regulation since 2006.

Digital Government

Medical mapping tool ready for test drive

The National Library of Medicine has released a draft mapping tool to link a standardized medical vocabulary of clinical terms to applications for billing and claims.

People

HHS seeking solutions to address FISMA compliance for health exchange

Federal health IT leaders are looking for ideas on how federal agencies can maintain their FISMA compliance while also engaging in patient data exchange.

People

HHS to award health-data network contracts by year's end

HHS is planning to award a series of competitive contracts for the Nationwide Health Information Network later this year.

Modernization

Cancer institute seeks expert to develop data standards

The National Cancer Institute plans to standardize data elements in its research grid for better information sharing.

People

Vendors flock to HHS's health information exchange

HHS' Connect software for health information exchange has been distributed to hundreds of organizations that who are starting to use it.

People

Panel seeks Rx for secure health data exchange

A workgroup hears about the problems in implementing common standards for an electronic health care data exchange.

People

CDC expands flu-tracking efforts

The H1N1 swine flu virus has created an urgent need for public health authorities to track where and how quickly the illness is spreading.

Digital Government

HHS' IG plans audits for some health IT programs

HHS' inspector general will audit several IT systems and programs affected by the economic stimulus law.

Cybersecurity

Wireless medical records system comes to Indianapolis

Emergency medical workers in Indianapolis and its suburbs now have access to electronic health records.

Digital Government

HHS faces hurdles on electronic exchange of medical lab results

Medical labs vary widely in how prepared they are to use electronic medical records, according to testimony today.

People

Health IT vendor sets up CDC with free flu tracking network

Health IT vendor Cerner Corp. has set up a national flu tracking network in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control.

Digital Government

Health centers get $27.8M for health IT projects

HHS will spend almost $28 million for health IT projects in 21 states.

People

Progress still slow on electronic health record adoption

The use of electronic health records is being held back by a debate over patients' rights, industry officials said today.