Evidence-Based Practice Center: Institution contracted under Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to develop evidence reports and technology assessments on topics relevant to clinical, social science/behavioral, economic, and other health care organization and delivery issues.
Author: Carolyn Hartley
Word of the Day: PHR
Personal health record (PHR): The health care consumer’s health information record, which they own and manage. Sharing or allowing access is based on the patient’s consent/permission.
Word of the Day: Integrated System
Integrated System: In an EMR, the vendor builds the system using the same characteristics arranged in the broad categories of data issues, application issues, presentation issues, and operational issues. Systems built in this way are often referred to as a Single Source solution.
Word of the Day: Security Incident
Security Incident: The attempted or successful unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification, or destruction of information or interference with system operations in an information system.
FTC Posts NPRM on Breach Notification Rule for e-Health Information
On April 17, 2009, the Federal Trade Commission issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that requires vendors of personal health records and related entities such as non-profit organizations that offer PHRs, to notify individuals when the security of their individually identifiable health information is breached. The NPRM seeks to conform with rules from HHS that safeguard protected health information, but the FTC proposed rule applies to non HIPAA-covered entities that are not subject to HIPAA privacy and security requirements. Of the many comments the FTC seeks is to identify entities that would fall under this ruling. We believe this rule will strengthen the trust consumers/patients have in sharing information in their…
Word of the Day: EHR
Electronic health record (EHR): A secure, real-time, interoperable point-of-care, patient-centric information resource for clinicians. The EHR aids clinicians in decision making by providing access to patient health record information where and when they need it and by incorporating evidence-based decision support. The EHR automates and streamlines the clinicians’ workflow, closing loops in communication and response that result in delays or gaps in care. The EHR also supports the collection of data for uses other than direct clinical care, such as billing, quality management, outcomes reporting, resource planning, and public health disease surveillance and reporting.
Kudos to DOQ-IT
Praise goes out to the Doctors Office Quality – Information Technology (DOQ-IT) centers that worked tirelessly to assist physicians select and implement electronic health records. Effective April 16, 2009, DOQ-IT will end. Access to all DOQ-IT-related programming and resources on QualityNet (e.g., online registration, data submission, reports) will end April 16, 2009, at 5 p.m. Central Time. We have had the pleasure of working with most of the DOQ-IT program leaders, building substantial friendships. We hope that their work will be a strong impetus to build on as physicians continue to select, implement and thrive in a health IT environment.
Business Associate To-Do List
What are Business Associates Required to Do to Meet HIPAA Requirements? With passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), privacy and security compliance increased significantly with business associates immediately required to comply directly with many of HIPAA’s rules. It also dramatically expanded other remedial actions (such as increasing federal government audits; granting attorneys fees in some HIPAA lawsuits; and allowing a method for individuals to recover penalties under HIPAA). Business associates also are subject to civil and criminal penalties , including a provision that allows individuals to receive financial compensation for the violation. If you are a business associate, your “To-Do” list looks similar to the list the…
New Director of Office of Recovery Act Coordination
Dennis Williams has been selected to be HHS’ Deputy Assistant Secretary for Recovery Act Coordination. Mr. Williams most recently served as Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Deputy Administrator, a post he held from 2002-2009. Prior to joining HRSA, Williams served as acting Assistant Secretary in HHS’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Management and Budget (OASMB, currently ASRT) from 2001 to 2002. From 1985-2001 he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget in OASMB. The Office of Recovery Act Coordination, which reports to the Assistant Secretary for Resources and Technology (ASRT), will ensure that the Act’s requirements and OMB’s guidance are followed, including: » Making sure that reporting due…
Medicare Incentives for Physicians
Amounts shown are per physician. To participate in the incentives, you must be a meaningful user. Incentive Year Adopted 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015+ 2011 $18,000 — — — — 2012 $12,000 $18,000 — — — 2013 $8,000 $12,000 $15,000 — — 2014 $4,000 $8,000 $12,000 $12,000 __ 2015 $2,000 $4,000 $8,000 $8,000 0 2016 0 $2,000 $4,000 $4,000 0 2017 0 0 0 0 0 Total $44,000 $44,000 $39,000 $24,000 0 Health Shortage Area + 10%$48,400 + 10%$48,400 +10%$42,900 +10%$26,400 As defined by the HITECH Act, a physician meaningful user is one using software that supports computerized provider order entry, uses ePrescribing, submits information to HHS on clinical quality…