Government Technology - August 2008 - (Page 12)

GT editors report from the road cene SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — Industry j as achievable while another looked to the next challenge: avoiding data overload for caregivers. Among other changes, Brailer predicts technology will conjure a more empowered consumer. Brailer said health-care professionals will find themselves pushed aside by search engines, as patients research their options and demand more say in their care. Panel members agreed that providers would have to adjust to a more informed and empowered patient. — EMILY MONTANDON, ASSOCIATE EDITOR on the Govtech.com Hot List Former Health IT Czar Speaks at California Forum professionals and policymakers gathered in June to discuss California’s health-care system and how it can be measured and improved. IT took a prominent place at the State of Our Health Forum sponsored by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. Dr. David Brailer, who from 2004 to 2006 served as the U.S. Health and Human Services Department’s national health IT coordinator, spoke about health IT’s potential to improve care. Brailer said electronic health records are inevitable. The bigger issue that still must be addressed is interoperability. In a discussion following Brailer’s speech, at least one panel member viewed interoperability Hot Topic: Climate Change TORONTO — Climate change was Support for EMRs SAN FRANCISCO — Accenture AUG_08 a popular topic of discussion at the World Conference on Disaster Management in mid-June. Northrop Grumman’s Karen Scott-Martinet asked, “What if climate change is not ‘disaster as usual?’ What are the tipping points if some things happen quickly, and can we adjust?” Scott-Martinet, an integrated systems sector contingency planner for the defense contractor, outlined several drastic measures humans could take to cope with climate change: • implanting devices that will help them tolerate climate change; • wearing suits that regulate body function; • downloading themselves into computers for a virtual existence; • turning entirely to engineered food products; and • building spaceships and leaving Earth. — JIM McKAY, JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY EDITOR hosted in June the last of three town hall meetings here to gauge citizen viewpoints on health-care challenges and solutions. The gatherings — also held in Miami and Detroit — let Accenture and its partner, The Council for Excellence in Government, test citizen receptivity to a national electronic medical record (EMR) system. The possibility of U.S. government-supported universal health coverage could make EMR infrastructure critical to managing such a massive, complex system. Meeting attendees were surprisingly open to EMR, said Ken Dineen, global managing director of Accenture’s health industry practice. The company’s poll showed 79 percent support for EMRs among Miami citizens, 59 percent in Detroit and 74 percent in San Francisco. Privacy and security concerns about such a system are common objections. — ANDY OPSAHL, FEATURES EDITOR 1 3 5 7 9 Here are the 10 most popular stories on Govtech.com from June 2, 2008 to July 2, 2008. Cloud Computing, Microsoft Surface and Other Disruptive Technologies Innovative approaches reshape interfaces, infrastructure and intelligence. www.govtech.com/gt/366260 Six Megatrends Reshaping Governments and Societies IBM says simultaneous, inescapable forces are reshaping governments and communities. www.govtech.com/gt/371595 Local Police Share Secure Wireless Network in Wisconsin Joint commission runs the network and shared applications. www.govtech.com/dc/articles/366276 Fusion Centers May Strengthen Emergency Management Developed for counterterrorism, fusion centers gravitate toward all-crimes and all-hazards approaches. www.govtech.com/gt/365393 12 L.A. City Councilman Lists Priorities IT makes L.A. more livable — from easing trafﬁc congestion to enhancing public safety. www.govtech.com/gt/366270 8 10 j j j 911 Systems Upgrade to Accept Text Messages and Video IP-based networks help call centers move beyond voice communications. www.govtech.com/gt/365413 Incident Management Team Helps Hospitals Respond to Disasters South Dakota hospital system creates team of experts to deploy at affected locations. www.govtech.com/gt/articles/365419 New York State Changes Rules on Use of Consultants by State Agencies Governor orders new standards and study of consultant use by state agencies. www.govtech.com/gt/369865 Five IT Security Trends to Watch CIOs must stay on top of these security trends and strategies. www.govtech.com/gt/369900 States Reduce Medicaid Costs with New Technology Emerging state IT projects show how technology can cut health-care expenses. www.govtech.com/gt/366267 2 4 6 http://www.govtech.com http://www.govtech.com http://www.govtech.com http://www.govtech.com/gt/366260 http://www.govtech.com/gt/365413 http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/365419 http://www.govtech.com/gt/369865 http://www.govtech.com/gt/369900 http://www.govtech.com/gt/366267 http://www.govtech.com/gt/371595 http://www.govtech.com/dc/articles/366276 http://www.govtech.com/gt/365393 http://www.govtech.com/gt/366270

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Government Technology - August 2008

Government Technology - August 2008 Contents Point of View The Last Mile Big Picture On the Scene Four Questions for... Net Gains A Government Technology® Industry Profile: CA CA Contents IT Network Management: State and Local Governments Face New Challenges MyFloridaNet Arkansas Department of Information Systems Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Government Tightens Its Belt Rocking the Vote High-Speed Portal Project On Track Wi-Fi on a Shoestring From Paintball to Video Virtually Vulnerable How It Works Products signal:noise

Government Technology - August 2008

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