Health IT

With government incentive dollars flowing and new tech tools like tablet computers and patient portals emerging, more practices are embracing a digital future. But for many, the old barrier to adoption - money - remains.

Patients say they want their doctors’ offices to be tech-savvy. They want to communicate with you and your staff, use patient portals and smartphone applications. But there’s a difference between wanting a digital future and actually knowing how to get there. Here’s how to get your patients and staff on board.

While practices are using patient portals to show meaningful use of EHRs, they can also help increase practice efficiency and improve the quality of care.

Anyone who thinks that physicians' slow adoption of EHRs makes them modern-day Luddites hasn't seen a doc with an iPad. Tablet computing does seem uniquely suited to healthcare, and physicians are warming quickly to the intuitive gizmos. But will tablets revolutionize medical practice - and yours?

Here's some simple guidance on how to comply with the Stage One initiatives of CMS' meaningful use initiatives and achieve meaningful use of your EHR.

While many industries are wringing even more efficiencies out of their IT systems investments, many in healthcare circles are still quarreling over whether healthcare IT is even a good idea.

The medical home model relies not only on teamwork between multiple healthcare providers, but complete and constant communication. A health information exchange, or HIE, allows providers to move information quickly and easily to all involved caregivers through various means.

How can everyday devices like a weight scale and a blood pressure cuff keep an individual from returning to the hospital? They can if they are directly connected to a patient's healthcare provider for remote monitoring and feedback if needed.

With an increased drive to empower patients, the healthcare industry is turning to many new initiatives, including the personal health record, or PHR. The online tool allows patients to access information, such as test results, while also taking action on their own care, such as scheduling an appointment with their physician or placing a prescription refill request.

Made your choice? That’s only part of the battle. Now you have to get it running. Our preparation checklist should help.

Good tech support staff is crucial to achieving successful EHR implementation and other priorities like interoperability. Here’s how to find the health IT support you need.

The "mHealth" industry has exploded, and smartphones, tablets, and apps are the buzzwords du jour. Trying to figure out how mobile devices and mHealth solutions can work for your practice can be overwhelming, but it’s crucial to stay current. We tell you how to get plugged in.

Looking to prove "meaningful use?" Start here with our easy-to-use checklist of requirements from CMS.

At the American Medical Association's recent policy-making meeting in San Diego, the association weighed in on the structure of accountable care organizations (ACOs) and professionalism when utilizing social media.

Are you confused about EHR certification? You're not alone. To receive federal incentive payments for your EHR, you must show that you are using a certified technology in a meaningful way. But what does that really mean - certified technology?

Most of the highly publicized cases of security breaches involving personal health information have been due to lost or stolen laptops and storage devices. But EHRs are full of personal health information that practices must ensure is protected. And, a recent study showed the general public is still very concerned about the security of EHRs, which could be a barrier to adoption.

What about that government stimulus money? Expert Rosemarie Nelson explains it all.

The federal government’s commitment to encourage more health information technology means there is a need for some 50,000 health IT workers in the next five years. One organization answering that call is the Oregon Institute of Technology, which just launched a health informatics degree program.

Maryland, Massachusetts, and Minnesota are putting extra pressure on physicians to adopt EHRs. Now it's time to see if other states follow.

Need a better way to track the status of lab work you've ordered -- but not ready for an EMR? This Excel document provides semi-automation.Be sure to turn on your macros and review the instructiosn on the last worksheet.Provided by www.docsboard.com.

Thinking about buying an EMR, but not sure how it will pay off? Try this ROI calculator, supplied by A4 Health Systems. It will show you where you can expect to cut costs, regardless of what system you buy.

Unfortunately, physicians are not immune to the growing threat of identity theft and data breaches. Check out our guide to keeping your personal information secure.

You can’t make the medical home model work on a practical basis without technology. But how to know what widgets are essential? Here’s your guide to the must-have technologies for your medical home practice.

Are networking sites like Facebook and Twitter privacy problems in need of a solution, opportunities to build community around your practice, or both? We help you navigate this brave new world of Web networking.

Meeting meaningful-use requirements for EHRs will demand interoperability between data systems. Do you have a strategy for connecting online with pharmacies, labs, other physicians, and patients? Here’s our primer for achieving connectivity and meaningful use.