Security Incident: The attempted or successful unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification, or destruction of information or interference with system operations in an information system.
Category: Health IT and HITECH
Federal Government Declares Public Health Emergency Regarding H1N1 (Swine) Flu
The federal government has declared a public health emergency in the United States concerning H1N1 swine flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides “information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this emergency. CDC is issuing and updating interim guidance daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation.” HIPAA.com recommends that you visit the CDC site, http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu, where you can get additional information and sign up for situation updates via email. Also, CDC posts emergency updates on Twitter at http://twitter.com/cdcemergency.
Get Your Team Prepared for the EHR, Part Four
Technical Assessment Technology management and support helps determine the degree to which your clinic or practice can systematically and proactively manage technology assets. For example, you want to know the IT skill set of your staff, the current state of your organization’s technology infrastructure, your approach to technology planning, the existing technology management structures and technology project management capabilities. The technical assessment looks also at how well management and technology infrastructure can effectively support quality and operational goals. A technical assessment can save thousands of dollars, simply by identifying what you have and what you need. High-level items in the technical assessment or checklist include completion of a security risk…
Word of the Day: Site Visit
Site Visit: A scheduled three- to five-hour visit at a location determined by the vendor and host site that allows the practice purchasing the same software to see that software and interfaces in action. Most purchasers want to observe the new workflows, how well the interfaces work, and learn implementation tips.
Get Your Team Prepared for the EHR, Part Three
EHR Selection Preparedness: Data Management In the third of our readiness assessments or “environmental scans,” evaluate what kind of data you collect, how data are gathered, and where it is stored. Old paper storage habits (a file here, another there) can easily translate into a messy and over-loaded server as well. Start by knowing what data is collected? A typical list of health information in a medical record includes the following. Clinical data: » H & P’s » Medication lists » Encounter Notes » Procedure reports » Pathology reports » Other labs reports » Imaging results/reports » Treatment Plans » Diagnosis based documentation and treatment templates » External Care (notes,…
Word of the Day: Evidence-Based Practice Center
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.
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.
HITECH Guidance & RFI
HITECH GUIDANCE & RFI 45 CFR Parts 160 and 164 AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services. Download (Requires Acrobat Reader)