Digital Government

HHS' Blumenthal disputes rumors on health IT spying

HHS is collaborating with the Justice Department on nationwide health data exchange, but that does not mean the data will go to law enforcement or national security agencies, according to Dr. David Blumenthal, national coordinator for health IT.

Digital Government

Think tank finds complex benefits and risks in health IT

The Obama administration's drive for health information technology implementation is occurring while health IT risks and benefits are not well understood, according to a new think tank report.

Modernization

USCIS saves $600K through videoconferencing

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency is saving $600,000 a year by moving its employee training sessions online.

Digital Government

Obama sets sights on next Medicare administrator

Though the White House has not made it official yet, President Obama reportedly knows who he wants to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

Modernization

NASA engineers join Toyota investigation

The Transportation Department, looking into alleged acceleration problems with Toyota vehicles, is getting help from NASA engineers with expertise in electronics and software.

Digital Government

VA/DOD center might offer lessons for health IT

A first-of-its-kind health facility in Chicago could serve as a case study in how DOD and the VA can integrate electronic health record systems.

Cybersecurity

DHS to hire 170 IT employees during next 18 months

Richard Spires, the CIO of the Homeland Security Department, said today his IT workforce will almost double by October 2011.

Modernization

Oops: GSA official overstates cloud savings

A senior GSA official, speaking at FOSE, overestimated her agency's savings on cloud computing -- by a factor of 500.

People

HHS wiki airs concerns about planned health network service

The Health and Human Services Department's new wiki on its Nationwide Health Information Network Direct service provides a forum for concerns about the effects of the program.

Digital Government

HHS panel advises on data glitches that affect patient safety

An HHS advisory workgroup today proposed best practices for dealing with patient safety problems related to electronic health record systems.

Digital Government

DEA issues rule on e-prescribing for controlled drugs

The Drug Enforcement Administration's new interim final rule would allow doctors and dentists who e-prescribe controlled substances to use their fingerprints or other biometric data to prove their identity.

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.

Modernization

AHRQ shortens and refocuses online podcasts

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recently shortened its podcasts and targeted them to consumers, an official said.

People

Audit reveals FDA not using performance data in management decisions

The Food and Drug Administration is not utilizing performance information effectively to help improve its management, according to the Government Accountability Management Office.

Modernization

Cloud computing is not always helpful in data recovery

Post-disaster data recovery is easier now, but it still can be difficult to get managers to buy in, says a former CISO for DOJ.

Modernization

Most visitors to GSA's Apps.gov are window shoppers

GSA official laments that more federal agencies are not taking advantage of the cloud computing deals available on Apps.gov.

Digital Government

IT plays critical role in health care reform

Health information technology and electronic health records (EHRs) underpin many of the provisions in the comprehensive health reform legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by the president.

People

SSA bracing for IT worker retirements, IG says

The Social Security Administration has had a good run in hiring new IT workers, but its luck may be running out as it faces a wave of IT staff retirements, according to a new report.

Digital Government

FCC claims a role in health IT policy

The Federal Communications Commission released its National Broadband Plan last week, and lo and behold, there was a big section that highlighted health information technology and telehealth applications.