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.
Mobile Medical Applications
Last month, the FDA released its final guidance for developers of mobile medical applications. The FDA will focus on regulating potentially harmful apps instead of policing applications that pose minimal risk to consumers. These more harmful apps include those which are using mobile technology to make a specific diagnosis and those which transform mobile devices into a regulated medical device.
- Final medical app guidance issued by FDA
- New House bill aims to slash FDA’s mHealth oversight
- Risky business: FDA mobile medical apps final guidance focuses on risk to patient safety
- Bill provides guidance on FDA mobile medical apps regulation
- Health IT Regulators Face Challenges as Medical Apps Proliferate
Patient Engagement and Connected Health
With the progression of patient engagement, consumers are looking to become involved in their own care and health. The quantified-self movement helps patients track their health, physical activity, food consumption, heart rate, and more. From mobile apps to worn digital sensors like the FitBit to implanted devices, patients keep track of their own health data – which eventually may be used to create a more personalized experience.
- Partners tackles ‘huge void’ in wellness
- Digging Deeper on Patient Engagement
- Patient Engagement: How To Do It Right
- Need motivation? There’s an app for that
- Tracking your path to better health: The future of personal health monitoring
Sluggish Adoption of Healthcare IT
The healthcare industry is experiencing an ongoing reluctance or sluggish adoption of healthcare IT by providers. This industry is chronically slow to move to new technologies, as is evident in the struggle to move from paper records to EMRs. Meaningful Use, ICD-10, Accountable Care Organizations, and HIEs have all experienced a pushback from providers and vendors.
- Providers still sluggish with health IT
- Providers grappling with the ‘other’ ROI
- Providers Still Hesitant With Portals, Study Finds
- What’s Holding Back The Mobile Health Revolution?
- Most Doctors Using Traditional Communication Tools, Survey Say
Meaningful Use Stage 2 Struggle
In order to be eligible for federal subsidies, providers must meet meaningful use regulations. Hospitals and physicians have less than one year to meet the MU Stage 2 requirements, which many are contesting due to the aggressive schedule. Additionally, many vendors are encountering problems getting their EHRs certified for Meaningful Use.
- Stage 2 proves challenging for vendors
- EHR Vendors Face Difficulties Under Stage 2 of Meaningful Use
- Electronic Health Records: The Next Chapter
- EHR makers surprised by Stage 2 complexity
- EHR market in flux as Stage 2 of Meaningful Use approaches
HIPAA and Privacy Challenges
Over 15 years ago, in response to an increase in the abuse of personal health information (PHI), HIPAA was established to protect the privacy of patients and prevent improper disclosure and use of information. HIPAA rules set limits and conditions on uses of PHI, establish national standards to protect electronic PHI, put in place standards for notification of breaches, and improve patient safety. Violation of these rules or a breach can result in a fine or lawsuit.
