Healthcare IT News - September 2007 - (Page 7)

www.HealthcareITNews.com industry news September 2007 ■ Healthcare IT News Medicaid steps ahead on healthcare It adoption By rICHarD pIzzI, Associate Editor wasHINGtoN – The Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services has found that state Medicaid agencies are making progress in implementing healthcare information technology and health information exchange initiatives. The office released its report last month. “Supporting the Department’s efforts in moving toward a fully interoperable electronic health records system that main- tains information security is a priority of our office,” said Inspector General Daniel R. Levinson. “We are committed to working closely with our many stakeholders to ensure prudent implementation of HIT in a manner that detects and prevents fraud, waste and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs,” Levinson added. The OIG report states that 12 State Medicaid agencies have already implemented a variety of healthcare initiatives includ- “we are CoMMitted to working closely with our many stakeholders to ensure prudent iMpleMentation of hit . . .” – Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General ing claims-based electronic health records, electronic prescribing, remote disease monitoring and personal health records initiatives. It claims that many state Medicaid agencies are in the process of developing similar healthcare IT initiatives. OIG also notes that 25 state Medicaid agencies are involved in planning and developing statewide HIE networks that will allow for secure exchange of health care information. The goal of these networks is to develop a statewide infrastructure to support the widespread use of HIT and allow health care providers and payers in the state to securely exchange clinical information. INspeCTor see page 8 presCrIBe Continued from page 5 At CDW, we’re focused on providing technology. So you can focus on providing the best care possible. Ergotron StyleView® Notebook Cart with Power System This powered mobile point-of-care cart has a small footprint and allows you to effortlessly move technology to the point of need. Features a secure auto-locking drawer and has 20” height adjustment for comfortable data entry. Panasonic Toughbook® T5 Access patient data quickly using the power of an Intel® Core™ Duo Processor with Intel® Centrino® Duo Processor Technology in this rugged notebook. Features a long-lasting battery and an anti-glare touchscreen LCD. Unotron® Washable Internet Keyboard Disinfect this keyboard easily. It withstands complete submersion thanks to SpillSeal® keyboard technology. It is dust-rated to standard NEMA4X and IP66 and comes in black or gray. efficiency for everyone. “We are pleased to see this goal realized and look forward to increased utilization between physicians and pharmacists,” he said. SureScripts, founded by the pharmacy industry in 2001, operates the Pharmacy Health Information Exchange. Similar to the network that connects banks to ATMs, the exchange connects physicians with pharmacies making it possible for physicians and pharmacists to electronically exchange prescription information. SureScripts has certified the software being used by more than 95 percent of the nation’s retail pharmacies. It counts about 150,000 physician users of e-prescribing technology today, with a small fraction of those live. The company is working with community pharmacies throughout Alaska to immediately activate previously certified computer systems for electronic prescribing, said SureScripts CEO and President Kevin Hutchinson. The majority of Alaska’s 86 community pharmacies can now begin accepting electronic prescriptions and electronically processing refill authorizations. More than two-thirds of the nation’s pharmacies actively exchange prescription information, according to SureScripts. In 2004 only about half of the states had laws and regulations that would even allow electronic prescribing.” ■ More at HealthcareITNews.com e Connect: PreSCrIBe 0907 ● Mouse sold separately aHIC Continued from page 5 Symbol DS6708 Digital Scanner ® Capture accurate patient data with ease. Provides unmatched performance while scanning one-dimensional and two-dimensional bar codes. Built to read omni-directionally for increased productivity. We’re there with the healthcare solutions you need. The more time you can spend on patient care the better. At CDW, we’re there when you need point-of-care technology. Our wide selection means you get the technology you need right away so you can spend more quality time with patients, experience fewer medical errors and provide more precise diagnoses. CDW has all the point-of-care technology you’re looking for, with experts who understand the demands of the healthcare industry. So call today to have better care at your fingertips. CDWHealthcare.com 888.419.7377 e ● Connect: CdW 0907 At a June 12 AHIC meeting, Leavitt said the future of healthcare IT advancement will need guidance, but ultimately, the market will drive it. “Our task is to create an organization to reach conclusions on technology standards and to organize the marketplace to operate,” he said. “We’re not working in a way as to prescribe everything.” David Roberts, vice president of government relations at the Health Information & Management Systems Society, said HIMSS is working through its diverse membership to provide a collaborative response to HHS on the proposed transition. “Our goal is to ensure that progress continues on creating a Nationwide Health Information Network and that the federal government continues to provide leadership on this national priority,” he said. “A public/ private partnership is a must if the NHIN is to succeed, and this new entity must reflect this partnership.” ■ More at HealthcareITNews.com e Connect: aHIC 0907 ● 7/24/07 6:15:49 PM http://www.HealthcareITNews.com http://www.HealthcareITNews.com http://www.healthcareitnews.com/story.cms?id=7659 http://CDWHealthcare.com http://CDWHealthcare.com http://www.healthcareitnews.com/eConnect.cms?id=7709 http://www.HealthcareITNews.com http://www.healthcareitnews.com/story.cms?id=7657

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Healthcare IT News - September 2007

Contents Alaska Sweep SiCKO Debate Data Exchange Rx EDITH knows Hold That Script IT in the Sun Breathing Easy IT on the Menu Ambulatory EMRs Identity Crisis

Healthcare IT News - September 2007

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