A national center set up a year ago to test and implement new ways to improve patient care while cutting costs has delivered its first report. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation was created by the health care reform act.
It has funded 16 initiatives since it began operations, primarily focused on incentives for delivering care to Medicare, Medicaid, and the Chilren's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Source: The Washington Post Article
Monday, January 30, 2012
ONC Launches Health IT Challenge to Improve Hospital Discharge Care
The National Coordinator for Health Information Technology announced a Discharge Follow-Up Appointment care transitions challenge – the second as part of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) Investing in Innovation (i2) Initiative. With the support of Health 2.0 and Partnership for Patients, ONC launched the Discharge Follow-Up Appointment challenge in support of ONC’s Investing in Innovation (i2) program.
The i2 Initiative is a bold new effort to spur innovations in health IT. The program utilizes prizes and challenges to facilitate innovation and obtain solutions to intractable health IT problems. Aligned with the Obama administration’s innovation agenda, i2 is the first federal program to operate under the authority of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010.
The challenge aims to stimulate the use of simple, information technology-enabled processes and tools to make transitions easier and safer for patients, caregivers and providers, particularly when a patient is discharged from a hospital. The first health IT challenge, Ensuring Safe Transitions from Hospital to Home , called upon developers to create a web-based application that could empower patients and caregivers to better navigate and manage a transition from a hospital.
The scheduling of follow-up appointments and post-discharge testing before leaving the hospital helps ensure safer and more effective transitions. Unfortunately, most patients across the country continue to leave the hospital without confirmed appointments and many providers remain frustrated by a highly manual and unreliable system. The Discharge Follow-Up Appointment challenge will focus on promoting effective care transitions.
“This challenge is an enormous opportunity for software developers to develop solutions, and pursue models that can be adopted across a community,” said Farzad Mostashari, M.D., Sc.M., national coordinator for health information technology. “Scheduling post-discharge follow-up appointments is critical, but not easy for patients or providers and we’re excited by the possibilities that will stem from this challenge.”
For additional information about ONC or on the i2 program, visit http://HealthIT.HHS.gov.
For more information about Health 2.0, which helps support the i2 challenge program, visit www.Health2Con.com .
For more information about Partnership for Patients, which also supports the i2 challenge program, visit http://www.healthcare.gov/compare/partnership-for-patients/index.html .
F
or more information about U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Recovery Act programs, see www.hhs.gov/recovery.
Source: HHS News Release
The i2 Initiative is a bold new effort to spur innovations in health IT. The program utilizes prizes and challenges to facilitate innovation and obtain solutions to intractable health IT problems. Aligned with the Obama administration’s innovation agenda, i2 is the first federal program to operate under the authority of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010.
The challenge aims to stimulate the use of simple, information technology-enabled processes and tools to make transitions easier and safer for patients, caregivers and providers, particularly when a patient is discharged from a hospital. The first health IT challenge, Ensuring Safe Transitions from Hospital to Home , called upon developers to create a web-based application that could empower patients and caregivers to better navigate and manage a transition from a hospital.
The scheduling of follow-up appointments and post-discharge testing before leaving the hospital helps ensure safer and more effective transitions. Unfortunately, most patients across the country continue to leave the hospital without confirmed appointments and many providers remain frustrated by a highly manual and unreliable system. The Discharge Follow-Up Appointment challenge will focus on promoting effective care transitions.
“This challenge is an enormous opportunity for software developers to develop solutions, and pursue models that can be adopted across a community,” said Farzad Mostashari, M.D., Sc.M., national coordinator for health information technology. “Scheduling post-discharge follow-up appointments is critical, but not easy for patients or providers and we’re excited by the possibilities that will stem from this challenge.”
For additional information about ONC or on the i2 program, visit http://HealthIT.HHS.gov.
For more information about Health 2.0, which helps support the i2 challenge program, visit www.Health2Con.com .
For more information about Partnership for Patients, which also supports the i2 challenge program, visit http://www.healthcare.gov/compare/partnership-for-patients/index.html .
F
or more information about U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Recovery Act programs, see www.hhs.gov/recovery.
Source: HHS News Release
Privacy and Security Mobile Device Good Practices Project Launched
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology's (ONC) Office of the Chief Privacy Officer (OCPO), in working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR), recently launched a Privacy & Security Mobile Device project.
The project goal is to develop an effective and practical way to bring awareness and understanding to those in the clinical sector to help them better secure and protect health information while using mobile devices (e.g., laptops, tablets, and smartphones). Building on the existing HHS HIPAA Security Rule - Remote Use Guidance, the project is designed to identify privacy and security good practices for mobile devices. Identified good practices and use cases will be communicated in plain, practical, and easy to understand language for health care providers, professionals, and other entities.
HHS will be looking for public input. Stay tuned for a public roundtable this Spring.
For information about other HHS mHealth activities, please visit the mHealth Initiative website: http://www.hhs.gov/open/initiatives/mhealth/index.html.
Source: ONC News Release
The project goal is to develop an effective and practical way to bring awareness and understanding to those in the clinical sector to help them better secure and protect health information while using mobile devices (e.g., laptops, tablets, and smartphones). Building on the existing HHS HIPAA Security Rule - Remote Use Guidance, the project is designed to identify privacy and security good practices for mobile devices. Identified good practices and use cases will be communicated in plain, practical, and easy to understand language for health care providers, professionals, and other entities.
HHS will be looking for public input. Stay tuned for a public roundtable this Spring.
For information about other HHS mHealth activities, please visit the mHealth Initiative website: http://www.hhs.gov/open/initiatives/mhealth/index.html.
Source: ONC News Release
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Weigh In: WSJ Discussion on Patient Unique IDs
A robust debate has begun in the Wall Street Journal regarding Should Every Patient Have a Unique ID Number for All Medical Records?
NAHAM members are encouraged to weigh in.
Source: WSJ Article
NAHAM members are encouraged to weigh in.
Source: WSJ Article
HHS OIG: Most Hospital Errors Unreported
A report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) says that only 1 out of seven hospital errors are reported. The report, Hospital Incident Reporting Systems Do Not Capture Most Patient Harm, also indicates that even after hospital errors are reported, rarely are corrective actions taken to ensure these adverse events do not occur again.
Source: New York Times article
Source: New York Times article
Monday, January 23, 2012
AHRQ Seeks Input from Health IT Community
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking input from health IT researchers and implementers who have experience using the Health IT Survey Compendium.
The Health IT Survey Compendium is a tool for health IT researchers and implementers who are looking for Health IT related surveys to help support their implementation and evaluation needs.
If you are a health IT researcher or implementer with prior experience using the AHRQ Health IT Survey Compendium, and you are interested in participating in this AHRQ research effort, please email Westat at AHRQ_HIT_Tool_Eval@westat.com. If you prefer, you can also call Westat toll-free at 888-789-8869. Westat will then contact you for some additional information. If you are selected to participate, Westat will schedule a time with you and send you a confirmation in advance. Your participation would include participating in an online interview and will take approximately 60-90 minutes of your time and does not require any travel. No advance preparation is required and you will receive a payment of $75 to thank you for your time.
Please contact Westat by February 2, 2012 to schedule a call.
Source: AHRQ News Release
The Health IT Survey Compendium is a tool for health IT researchers and implementers who are looking for Health IT related surveys to help support their implementation and evaluation needs.
If you are a health IT researcher or implementer with prior experience using the AHRQ Health IT Survey Compendium, and you are interested in participating in this AHRQ research effort, please email Westat at AHRQ_HIT_Tool_Eval@westat.com. If you prefer, you can also call Westat toll-free at 888-789-8869. Westat will then contact you for some additional information. If you are selected to participate, Westat will schedule a time with you and send you a confirmation in advance. Your participation would include participating in an online interview and will take approximately 60-90 minutes of your time and does not require any travel. No advance preparation is required and you will receive a payment of $75 to thank you for your time.
Please contact Westat by February 2, 2012 to schedule a call.
Source: AHRQ News Release
Friday, January 20, 2012
EHNAC Announces 2012 Criteria for All Accreditation Programs
The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC), a non-profit standards development organization and accrediting body, announced the adoption of new program criteria for 2012.
Following the standard, 60-day public comment period, EHNAC has incorporated feedback to finalize and adopt the enhanced criteria versions for the following programs:
ePAP – e-Prescribing Accreditation Program (Version 6.3)
FSAP EHN – Financial Services Accreditation Program for Electronic Health Networks (Version 2.3)
FSAP Lockbox – Financial Services Accreditation Program for Lockbox Services (Version 2.3)
HIEAP – Health Information Exchange Accreditation Program (Version 1.1)
HNAP-70 – Healthcare Network Accreditation Plus Select SAS 70©1 Criteria Program (Version 1.3)
HNAP EHN – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Electronic Health Networks (Version 10.3) 2
HNAP Medical Biller – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Medical Billers (Version 1.2)
HNAP TPA – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Third Party Administrators (Version 1.2)
MSOAP – Management Service Organization Accreditation Program (Version 1.1)
OSAP – Outsourced Services Accreditation Program2 (Version 1.2)
OSAP HIE – Outsourced Services Accreditation Program for Health Information Exchange Services (Version 1.1)
“The continued evolution and improvement of our accreditation programs is vital to support the dynamic climate of healthcare reform and industry standards,” says Mark Gingrich, EHNAC Commissioner and Criteria Committee Chair. “EHNAC is fully committed to regularly adjusting our program criteria for accreditation in all areas that affect health data processing to set the bar for the industry standards of today.”
EHNAC accreditation recognizes excellence in health data processing and transactions, and confirms compliance with industry-established standards and HIPAA regulations. Organizations that apply for accreditation or re-accreditation after Jan. 1, 2012 will now need to adhere to the enhanced criteria standards. Criteria for all EHNAC programs are posted online.
Source: EHNAC News Release
Following the standard, 60-day public comment period, EHNAC has incorporated feedback to finalize and adopt the enhanced criteria versions for the following programs:
ePAP – e-Prescribing Accreditation Program (Version 6.3)
FSAP EHN – Financial Services Accreditation Program for Electronic Health Networks (Version 2.3)
FSAP Lockbox – Financial Services Accreditation Program for Lockbox Services (Version 2.3)
HIEAP – Health Information Exchange Accreditation Program (Version 1.1)
HNAP-70 – Healthcare Network Accreditation Plus Select SAS 70©1 Criteria Program (Version 1.3)
HNAP EHN – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Electronic Health Networks (Version 10.3) 2
HNAP Medical Biller – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Medical Billers (Version 1.2)
HNAP TPA – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Third Party Administrators (Version 1.2)
MSOAP – Management Service Organization Accreditation Program (Version 1.1)
OSAP – Outsourced Services Accreditation Program2 (Version 1.2)
OSAP HIE – Outsourced Services Accreditation Program for Health Information Exchange Services (Version 1.1)
“The continued evolution and improvement of our accreditation programs is vital to support the dynamic climate of healthcare reform and industry standards,” says Mark Gingrich, EHNAC Commissioner and Criteria Committee Chair. “EHNAC is fully committed to regularly adjusting our program criteria for accreditation in all areas that affect health data processing to set the bar for the industry standards of today.”
EHNAC accreditation recognizes excellence in health data processing and transactions, and confirms compliance with industry-established standards and HIPAA regulations. Organizations that apply for accreditation or re-accreditation after Jan. 1, 2012 will now need to adhere to the enhanced criteria standards. Criteria for all EHNAC programs are posted online.
Source: EHNAC News Release
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