FCC to vote on allocating broadband spectrum for mobile body area networks
The Federal Communications Commission will vote on May 24 on whether to allow the healthcare industry to use designated broadband space to develop and deploy mobile body area networks. If approved, the move would open the door to more and better uses of wireless monitoring both inside and outside the hospital setting. MORE

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FCC to vote on allocating broadband spectrum for mobile body area networks May 18, 2012 | Eric Wicklund - Senior Editor
The Federal Communications Commission will vote on May 24 on whether to allow the healthcare industry to use designated broadband space to develop and deploy mobile body area networks. If approved, the move would open the door to more and better uses of wireless monitoring both inside and outside the hospital setting.
Research drills down on regional readmission rates for heart failure May 17, 2012 | Kelsey Brimmer - Associate Editor
Differences in regional readmission rates for heart failure are more closely connected with the availability of care and socioeconomics rather than with hospital performance or a patient’s degree of illness, according to recently released research.
Small-business credit conditions improving May 17, 2012 | Frank Irving - Editor
A new business index, announced May 17 by Experian and Moody's Analytics, shows that U.S. commercial credit conditions are improving, with fewer small businesses falling behind on bill payments. The index will be reported quarterly to track fluctuations in the market and indicate factors that are impacting the business economy.
HL7 extends membership program to caregivers May 17, 2012 | PhysBizTech staff
Standards development organization Health Level Seven International announced on May 16 a pilot membership program and webpage to encourage clinician caregivers to participate in the process of developing standards for EHRs.
HHS initiative provides online tools for healthcare data analysis May 16, 2012 | Mary Mosquera - Contributing Editor
The Department of Health & Human Services announced the availability of the Health System Measurement Project, through which policymakers, providers and the public can use online tools to develop data-driven charts and views of changes in important health system indicators.
AGA issues call to action on hepatitis C testing May 14, 2012 | PhysBizTech staff
An online survey reveals that almost three-quarters of baby boomers have never been tested or are unsure if they have been tested for hepatitis C, and 80 percent do not consider themselves at any risk for having the disease. That patient population is actually most likely to have the disease.
Medicaid payment parity would improve access to primary care, says AAFP president May 14, 2012 | PhysBizTech staff
Access to primary medical care services could become easier for Medicaid beneficiaries under a new regulation proposed May 9. Federal funds would bring state Medicaid payments up to Medicare levels for primary care services beginning in 2013.
ONC asks for comments on HIE standards and specs May 14, 2012 | Mary Mosquera - Contributing Editor
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) seeks public comment on creation of a voluntary program under which entities that enable electronic health information exchange could be validated based on meeting ONC-established “conditions for trusted exchange.”

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What you should know about data encryption May 15, 2012 | Michelle McNickle - Web Content Producer
A new report acknowledges that misconceptions about data encryption persist – even among people who are generally knowledgeable about computers. The report outlines what you should know about data encryption by debunking seven common myths.
What to study before purchasing cyber insurance May 14, 2012 | Michelle McNickle - Web Content Producer
There's no denying that data breaches pose an increasing threat to healthcare entities of all sizes. That's why current risk-management strategy calls for consideration of cyber insurance, according to a recently released report.
Cloud-related PHI security holes – and what to do about them May 02, 2012 | Rick Kam, CIPP - President and Co-founder, ID Experts
For all of its benefits, cloud computing poses very real dangers to covered entities responsible for safeguarding protected health information.
What to watch among social media trends April 27, 2012 | Michelle McNickle - Web Content Producer
Information from social media sources can help healthcare organizations connect with customers in ways that provide value and increase trust, according to a newly released report by the Health Research Institute at PwC US. Ultimately, social media can help organizations take a more active and engaged role in managing individuals' health.
Worried about an OCR audit? Check these 3 areas April 25, 2012 | Michelle McNickle - Web Content Producer
The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is in the midst of a pilot program through which it is performing spot-check audits of HIPAA covered entities for privacy/security and breach-notification compliance. Here are three “hot buttons” that could trigger an OCR audit.
Be mindful of these 5 HIT areas to avoid adverse effects on patients April 19, 2012 | Diana Manos - Senior Editor
Certain oversights during the technology implementation process could have adverse effects on patients. Here are 5 HIT areas that could potentially impact patient care if not handled in a mindful manner.
8 ways a REC can help April 16, 2012 | Molly Merrill - Contributing writer
Kathryn Galbraith, MD, of Galbraith Family Medicine, LLC, in Limerick, Maine, shares with PhysBizTech some of the REC services that she found to be most useful for her practice.
7 ways for physicians to connect with patients April 04, 2012 | Michelle McNickle - Web Content Producer
It's no secret the business side of healthcare is swiftly changing, and just as CEOs are taking a new approach to marketing their hospital, physicians are also looking for new ways to connect with patients. Here are seven approaches to making that connection.

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Getting Ready for ICD-10 April 10, 2012 | Resource Central
On October 1, 2013, U.S. providers will be required to move from the current ICD-9 coding standards to ICD-10 in their practice management and electronic medical record systems. The changes represented in ICD-10, while sweeping in their scope, are not beyond the ability of medical practices to adopt. The earlier you begin, the easier the changeover will be. In this whitepaper learn the basics of ICD-10, the differences between ICD-9 and ICD-10, the benefits ICD-10 will provide and what you should be doing now to prepare.
Code Red: Rescue Your Revenues April 10, 2012 | Resource Central
As healthcare costs and insurance premiums continue to rise at a pace far surpassing inflation, payers have responded to the mounting economic pressures by employing complex billing and coding rules to eliminate inappropriate payments. Lacking adequate error detection and research tools, the typical healthcare business suffers from a backlog of denied claims and diminished revenues.
Physician Quality Reporting System Best Practices: Maximizing Medicare Reimbursements April 10, 2012 | Resource Central
As healthcare expenditures continue to rise, politicians and employers have sought after ways to slow the growth of healthcare expenses and the budget shortfalls which accompany these increases. While most solutions proposed to fix America's healthcare crisis have been met with intense debate and criticism, virtually all parties agree that efforts to improve prevention and the quality of care delivered are crucial for the success of any reform. In 2007, CMS took its first step towards “pay for performance” reimbursements by launching the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). In this whitepaper, you will learn about the PQRS program and best practices for participation.
Post-Acquisition Physician Practice Billing Strategies March 20, 2012 | Resource Central
Ten considerations when deciding if hospital-owned physician practices should maintain independent billing solutions and processes.
Integrating Faxes into Today's World of Healthcare e-Records March 19, 2012 | Resource Central
This white paper examines the obstacles preventing the move away from fax machines, and the benefits of having a communications system that integrates faxed documents into healthcare systems and solutions.
Making (the most) of Technology Transitions: EHR imperatives and opportunities in today's medical practice March 19, 2012 | Resource Central
Medical practices have been contemplating the prospect of moving from paper-based records to electronic health record (EHR) systems for decades. But relatively few have begun taking steps to make the transition – until now. This white paper examines the factors that have kept many medical practices from moving forward with EHR over the years and the factors that are prompting action today; explains some of the technological requirements of making the transition to EHR and how to begin to meet them; and explores the significant operational, clinical and administrative benefits to be gained in the process.
Selecting the Right EHR for the Life of your Practice and Your Patients March 19, 2012 | Resource Central
If we are at or approaching a technological tipping point in the history of healthcare, then it has never been more important for physician practices to select the right electronic health record (EHR) – and there are tangible reasons to believe so. This whitepaper comments on recent customer surveys, and discusses foundational criteria for selecting the right EHR solution, determining your “game plan” and the process for assessment and selection. Justin Barnes is chairman emeritus of the national Electronic Health Record Association (EHR Association), and is vice president of marketing, industry affairs and government affairs for Greenway Medical Technologies, Inc.
Accessing Medical Records on Mobile Devices March 19, 2012 | Resource Central
The emergence of a new class of Android (TM) mobile devices creates an opportunity for doctors and medical professionals to access patient data wherever they are. Read this white paper to learn how to access patient data and view medical images on Android devices.

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Like it or not, MU is underway May 18, 2012 | Diana Manos - Senior Editor
No matter how you feel about the federal incentive program to drive the adoption of healthcare IT, the numbers speak for themselves.
mHealth should make old healthcare 'excuses' obsolete May 17, 2012 | Eric Wicklund - Senior Editor
mHealth advocates should be jumping all over a newly released federal report that equates less education with more health problems.
The medical app is a patient advocacy tool May 14, 2012 | David Lee Scher, MD
Regardless of the scope of the app, if it generates meaningful support of the caregiver (which ultimately benefits the patient), it is a patient advocacy tool.
Survey of cancer patients shows desire to plug in May 11, 2012 | Jeff Rowe - Contributing Editor
A survey of cancer patients conducted this past winter may show a way to get the public more plugged into managing their health information.
ICD-10 essentials for busy physicians who would rather be doing something else -- depression and anxiety May 09, 2012 | Rhonda Butler - ICD-10, 3M
This post looks at documentation and coding in ICD-10 for people who typically are on prescribed antidepressants or anti-anxiolytics for something other than a formally diagnosed thought disorder.
Health exchange standards finally surfacing May 08, 2012 | Hannah King - Health Information Exchange
HIEs have to talk to each other in order to source data across cities and states so that information can be where the corresponding patients are. The technical capability is alive and well. All we need are standards to facilitate the movement.
EHR lessons learned from small practices: part 2 May 07, 2012 | Arjen Westerink - Director of Business Development, VitalHealth Software
While perhaps the greatest emphasis of transition support needs to be focused on technical challenges, it is also important to address practical challenges, such as the EHR’s effect on the patient-physician encounter and relationship.
The data tsunami May 04, 2012 | Dave Lareau - CEO of Medicomp Systems
The incoming sea of data has great potential for improving patient and population health, but only if providers have efficient tools to intelligently identify and interpret the relevant information.

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HL7 gives doctors, nurses and other clinicians a say in the development of EHRs May 18, 2012 | Industry Release
Health Level Seven® (HL7®) International, the global leader in developing interoperability standards for healthcare IT, today announced a pilot membership program and webpage to encourage clinician caregivers to participate in the process of developing standards for electronic health records (EHRs).
22-physician Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic selects the SRS certified EHR to pursue meaningful use May 18, 2012 | Industry Release
SRS, the leader in productivity-enhancing EHR technology and services for high-performance physicians, today announced that Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic has selected SRS' certified EHR for its providers eligible for the government's EHR incentives program. Upgrading to the SRS certified EHR enables Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic's providers to attest to meaningful use and earn the EHR incentives. Raleigh Orthopaedics is a well-established practice, known throughout North Carolina for the high-quality care its physicians deliver.
AmericanEHR partners welcomes AMA as newest member May 17, 2012 | Industry Release
AmericanEHR Partners today welcomed the nation's largest medical society, the American Medical Association (AMA), as its newest member. AmericanEHR Partners' primary objective is to provide comprehensive and trustworthy information to support clinicians in the selection and use of electronic health records.
Cloud-based medical billing software company Kareo brings enterprise-grade claim scrubbing technology to small medical practices May 17, 2012 | Industry Release
Kareo, Inc., the leading provider of easy and affordable cloud-based practice management and medical billing software for US physicians, announced today the release of advanced claim scrubbing technology designed to streamline the billing process and improve cash flow for physician practices. This new feature will help practices eliminate medical claim errors and expedite payment from insurance companies. The enhancement is immediately available to all Kareo customers at no additional charge.
Best-selling drug reference for nurses now a mobile app May 17, 2012 | Industry Release
Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information and point-of-care solutions for the healthcare industry, today broke new ground in patient care by introducing the first mobile application for the Nursing Drug Handbook, the best-selling drug reference for nurses.  Available for Apple iPhone, iPad and iTouch and all Android devices, the new application is the first drug reference for nurses to offer weekly updates.  Published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW), the Nursing Drug Handbook App gives the fastest access to the most current drug information for nurses.
athenahealth announces winners of Health 2.0 code-a-thon May 16, 2012 | Industry Release
athenahealth, Inc., a leading provider of cloud-based practice management, electronic health record (EHR), and care coordination services to medical groups, today announced the winners of Health 2.0’s Boston Big Data Code-a-thon event, which was hosted at athenahealth’s headquarters in Watertown, Massachusetts, on Saturday, May 12. More than 100 participants attended the event conducted in partnership with Health 2.0 and in conjunction with AT&T and MIT’s H@cking Medicine.
Kansas’ College Park Family Care Center switches to eClinicalWorks EHR May 14, 2012 | Industry Release
eClinicalWorks®, a market leader in ambulatory clinical systems, today announces that College Park Family Care Center, the largest non-hospital owned multi-specialty group in the Kansas City-area, has chosen eClinicalWorks comprehensive electronic health records (EHR) solution for its 91 providers across 12 locations. Designed to improve communication with access to real-time information, this initiative will aid the group in pursuing quality of care initiatives, including Meaningful Use and Patient-Centered Medical Home™ (PCMH) recognition.
Zweena's redesigned PHR provides enhanced protection of user health data with exclusive user-controlled sharing feature May 14, 2012 | Industry Release
Award-winning PHR provider ZweenaHealth.com now ensures the enhanced protection of user health data against theft and loss with an exclusive user-controlled sharing feature which provides each user with total control over how their information is used and shared. ZweenaHealth.com is a health information technology (Health IT) company which provides online PHR (Personal Health Record) and health information management services. Zweena collects patient medical records directly from doctors’ offices, organizes and digitizes them to create an electronic health record that provides updated health information and is accessible online. Zweena also collaborates with Microsoft HealthVault by updating patients' personal HealthVault accounts.

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