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.

Modernization

FCC launches discussion on the news media

The FCC has set up a formal comment process and a Web site for the public to discuss communities' needs for news and information.

Digital Government

Grassley suspects health IT may cause medication errors

It seems counter-intuitive, but a Senator believes technology might be adding to health care problems rather than solving them.

Digital Government

Military Health System approves strategic plan for IT

The Military Health System released its 2010 to 2015 strategic plan for information technology that focuses on 10 goals.

People

National Cancer Institute seeks tools for electronic data management

The National Cancer Institute expects to issue a request for proposals next month to identify a contractor that can expand use of electronic data.

Modernization

GAO raps FCC for communication breakdowns

The Federal Communications Commission needs to better manage the way it obtains policy input from the public and from its own staff experts, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Cybersecurity

Candidate for TSA top job withdraws from consideration

The Transportation Security Administration is still without a leader now that White House nominee Erroll Southers has withdrawn from consideration.

People

U.S. investment in global research and development falls

North America funded 35 percent of the global research and development in 2007, according to a new report from the National Science Board.

Digital Government

Information therapy measures in rule for electronic health records

The Health and Human Services Department included quality measurements based on a discipline called information therapy in its recent proposed rule for electronic health records.

Digital Government

Agencies harness social media for Haiti relief efforts

Social media, satellite communications spring into action to help earthquake-devastated nation.

Digital Government

VA, DOD seek assessment of virtual e-health record vision

The Veterans Affairs and Defense departments are hiring a contractor to analyze if Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record patient data can be successfully exchanged in a community.

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 panel to give fresh spin to federal health IT strategy

The stimulus law requires the Health and Human Services Department to revise the plan to show how health IT will be used to improve care quality, reduce errors, improve public health and address special needs.

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.

Cybersecurity

SSA fails to E-Verify 19 percent of new hires, IG says

The Social Security Administration did not follow federal employment verification requirements for 19 percent of its new hires, according to a new report.

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.

Modernization

FCC launches Reboot Web site for interaction

The Federal Communications Commission this week went live with a new Web site to stimulate public discussion.

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.

People

VA, Kaiser seek to expand health data exchange project

The Veterans Affairs Department and Kaiser Permanente claim success for their data exchange effort for about 460 veterans in San Diego.