The healthcare IT field is rapidly developing and changing. Emerging technology and updated regulations put pressure on healthcare providers and health plans to stay ahead of the curve. Perficient creates a monthly list that explores some of the current topics and issues in health IT. This list examines the most talked about issues and technologies that are currently affecting the industry.
HIMSS 2013 Conference
Earlier this month the HIMSS 2013 Conference took place in New Orleans. Nearly 35,000 individuals attended the healthcare technology conference over the six days of sessions and exhibition. Highlights included a keynote address from former President Bill Clinton, an Interoperability Showcase, several Meaningful Use workshops, and a general theme of patient engagement.
- Post-HIMSS 2013: Are We at an Inflection Point in U.S. Healthcare IT?
- HIMSS: Engaging the Patient
- HIMSS 2013 wrap-up: The news you may have missed
- Key Takeaways from Industry Professionals at HIMSS 2013
- Notable and Quotable from HIMSS 2013
Patient Engagement under Meaningful Use
A key theme of Stage 2 meaningful use is engaging patients in their own care. Building on the Stage 1 requirement that 50% of patients be able to view their documents electronically, Stage 2 mandates that 10% of those patients actually do so. Clinical summaries must be provided following each office visit and select patients will receive notifications and reminders for additional care. Secure messaging to patients, another Stage 2 requirement, can connect them with helpful care information.
- Why Patient Engagement Really Does Matter and Why So Many People Are Getting It Wrong
- Letting Patients Get a Word in Edgewise
- Recapping the ePatient Tweet Up at HIMSS
- Patient Engagement: Does the Emperor have any clothes?
- What Do Patients Need From Clinicians?
Population Health Management and ACOs
PHM is a concept that includes the healthiest and the sickest individuals by improving the overall health of high- and low risk patients by addressing personal health behaviors that may contribute to health through care, communication and education. PHM places an emphasis on primary care to provide preventative, acute and chronic illness care, which is coupled with efforts to educate patients and encourage behavior and lifestyle changes.
- ACO’s Can Improve Population Health If They Use Correct Definition
- Population health analytics top ACO priority
- Population Health Colloquium: A Glimpse of the Future
- ACO’s May Not Be Right for True Population Health, Researchers Say
Interoperability
Interoperability plays a key role in ensuring systems can communicate with each other to share information. It helps to reduce redundant data entry, speed access to information and create a real-time flow of information through an enterprise IT system. The key benefit of creating interoperability is to improve the visibility, sharing and re-use of data collection between disparate healthcare applications and devices.
- Device interoperability with EHRs could save $30B annually
- Interoperability takes work, not magic
- Big EMR Vendors Agree To Interoperability Scheme
- Mostashari: Interoperability on the horizon
- Open Platforms Are the Key to Health IT Interoperability
Health Information Exchange
Healthcare systems and state and local government agencies must exchange health information to those who can impact the delivery of care while empowering those who receive that care in order to meet regulatory standards and maintain business viability in the future. Interoperability plays a key role in ensuring systems can communicate with each other to share information.
