UC Center for Health Informatics

Rates of electronic health record adoption among physicians in the Northeast U.S. grew from 19.9% in 2002 to 52.1% in 2011, while EHR adoption rates among physicians in the Western U.S. grew from 19.5% in 2002 to 60.8% in 2011, according to a recent Health Affairs study.

In a new issue brief, the National Association of Public Hospitals & Health Systems offered several recommendations for increasing flexibility in the meaningful use program, such as allowing a three-year timeframe between the Stage 1 and Stage 2 deadlines for the program. FierceHealthIT.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has released a plan to ensure the privacy and security of data in its Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record program. The plan recommends various policies, such as regulating data access with security software. Government Health IT et al.

An Annals of Family Medicine study finds no correlation between physicians' use of electronic health record systems and improved adherence to clinical guidelines for diabetes care. The study offers recommendations for improving the effective use of EHR systems. Modern Healthcare.

A Journal of the American Health Information Management Association article questions whether state-level health data exchanges will become obsolete over the next few years as more private organizations claim a share of the health information exchange market. CMIO.

A new study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania finds that an accountability tool embedded in an electronic health record system could reduce unnecessary CT scans among emergency department patients with abdominal pain. United Press International, CMIO.

A new Chilmark Research report notes that the proposed rule for Stage 2 of the meaningful use program and payment changes are driving growth in the health information exchange market. However, challenges to more robust HIE remain. Healthcare IT News, FierceHealthIT.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT is seeking comments from stakeholders on the establishment of a governance mechanism for the Nationwide Health Information Network. The governance structure would include rules on technical, business practice, privacy and security requirements to establish a common trust framework for the exchange. Health Data Management.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has launched a new Health IT Dashboard, which offers data on grant programs and other health IT activities. The dashboard includes more than 150 maps showing ONC data at different regional levels. NextGov et al.

The California Health Information Partnership and Services Organization has signed up more than 7,700 health care providers seeking to adopt electronic health records. It says members have earned more than $65 million in federal incentive payments. Healthcare IT News et al.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a pilot program to give veterans' family caregivers iPads that feature health care applications and tools to aid treatment. The devices will allow data sharing between VA, caregivers and veterans. Modern Healthcare, NextGov.

The American College of Cardiology, the Certification Commission for Health IT, the Medical Group Management Association and the National Committee for Quality Assurance recently submitted comments on Stage 2 of the meaningful use program. CMIO et al.

Some of HHS' newly announced innovation awards will go to projects that have a health IT component. Emory University, University Hospitals of Cleveland and George Washington University received awards for projects involving telehealth. Modern Healthcare et al.

During the American Hospital Association's annual meeting, acting CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner acknowledged some of the hospital industry's concerns about Stage 2 of the meaningful use program and said CMS is reviewing stakeholders' feedback. Modern Healthcare et al.

The Markle Foundation has issued a report to supplement earlier guidance on secure health information sharing. The report includes resources on governance, consent and procurement for organizations undertaking health IT projects. Healthcare IT News.

Yesterday, the American Medical Association and 98 state and specialty medical societies sent a letter to CMS indicating that some of the proposed criteria for Stage 2 of the meaningful use program would be cumbersome for physicians to implement. Several other industry stakeholders and consumer advocacy groups also submitted comments on the proposed rules. Healthcare IT News et al.

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society's Electronic Health Record Association is calling for Stage 2 of the meaningful use program to include fewer clinical quality measures and more time for EHR upgrades. Healthcare IT News, Health Data Management.

As the focus on health IT-related safety issues mounts, common non-disclosure and "hold harmless" clauses in electronic health record contracts are sparking debate. Vendors cite their right to protect intellectual property and to manage processes by which problems are reported and addressed.

Yesterday, members of the Health IT Policy Committee discussed whether Stage 2 of the meaningful use program should allow licensed professionals and scribes to enter orders into electronic health record systems on behalf of physicians. Healthcare IT News.

The Premier healthcare alliance has submitted comments on the proposed rules for Stage 2 of the meaningful use program. The group urged CMS to publish the Stage 2 final rules by August to avoid compromising hospitals' ability to meet program criteria by 2014. Healthcare IT News.