Today’s Business News
Adoption of electronic health records (EHR) systems in U.S. medical practices has reached an all-time high, as more than three in four U.S. physicians are now utilizing EHRs that they or a hospital partner own, or are in the process of transitioning to one, according to the 2013 Physicians Practice Technology Survey. “The resistance to EHR adoption that had plagued private-office healthcare for 15 years has all but broken,” said Bob Keaveney, editorial director of Physicians Practice.What broke it is the federal government’s EHR incentive program, under which physicians who adopt and “meaningfully use” EHRs to treat patients receive cash incentives — and those who don’t will eventually receive reduced Medicare payments. Only 24 percent of the 1,291 physicians surveyed from November 2012 to March 2013 said they still had no EHR access, and about 30 of this group expect to adopt one soon.
Nuance Communications was recently named one of the “top five movers” on the 2013 Healthcare Informatics 100. Nuance advanced from number 20 on last year’s list to 14 this year. “Nuance’s leadership in the healthcare industry, underscored by this ranking, is a significant achievement built from the success and loyalty of the more than 10,000 healthcare organizations and 450,000 clinicians that rely on us to help them fix their biggest clinical documentation and coding problems.”
Patient Fusion has launched a free tool to help patients track their health spending online. Consumers who book appointments online at PatientFusion.com receive access to their online personal health record (PHR) and can now track their health spending across all of their medical visits. The beta launch is available to patients covered by national insurance payers including United and Anthem Blue Cross.
Datameer announced today that Cardinal Health has selected the company to enable data discovery on their big data platform. Datameer gives Cardinal Health’s business users the self-service tools they need to quickly and easily visualize and understand data to make meaningful decisions. A Fortune 19 company, Cardinal Health is one of the world’s largest healthcare services companies.
IHM Services Company announced the release of its 2014 Stage 1 and Stage 2 Meaningful Use reporting solution at the 2013 International MUSE Conference. IHM’s new Meaningful Use solution is the latest addition to the company’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) suite. IHM’s new Meaningful Use solution will provide hospitals with a Drummond-certified report that combines retrospective data with daily information on patients while they are still in the hospital.
Allscripts announced important additions to the company’s senior leadership team and Board of Directors. Brian Farley will join the company as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary effective May 28, 2013. In addition, Allscripts added two new board members – Anita Pramoda and Michael Klayko – whose terms began May 21, 2013.