Medicare’s largest effort to pay hospitals based on how they perform did not lead to fewer deaths, casting doubt on a central premise of the new health law’s effort to rework the financial incentives for hospitals with the aim of saving money while improving patient care.
“Overall, 55 patient records were electronically viewed by 43 employees. It’s still unclear how many of those ultimately may be found to have had legitimate reasons for looking at patient medical records and may be cleared of wrongdoing.”
The U.S. leads the world in advanced medical technologies, but when it comes to electronic communication, American medicine remains a backward culture. Farzad Mostashari’s mission: Move U.S. doctors from the Age of Gutenberg into the 21st century.
Hospitals are usually eager to embrace the latest medical technology, but the road to deploying tablet computers has been bumpy.
Electronic health records reveal how well doctors are providing care. Are their patients receiving recommended preventive services? Have they been given unnecessary care? It’s in the record.
Electronic health records put your health data—medical history, medicines, allergies, test results, and more—all in one place. This saves you and your medical team time. It also reduces the chance of an error like getting a drug you’re allergic to.
Missing servers had information about current and past customers, employees and heath care providers. Social Security numbers were included for some individuals.
An Office of Personnel Management plan to launch a comprehensive database of federal workers’ health care records has raised the ire of some privacy advocates, employee unions and consumer groups.
The data collected will include names, birthdates and other personal identifying information.
Despite differing opinions on health-care reform, there is general consensus on at least one critical issue: most everyone agrees it’s time for the country to get serious about electronic health records.
The government will make it easier for health care providers to get bonuses for using electronic health records, but the hospital industry says it still had concerns that too few facilities would qualify.
Doctors who “get on board” will be paid more by Medicare and Medicaid, beginning in 2011. But in 2016 the subsidies disappear and those still using paper risk sanctions, including reduced Medicare fees.
Advocates say adopting health information technology could improve care and save money. But putting a realistic number on those savings is a challenge.
LocalHealthGuide is a health news and information web service for Seattle and the Puget Sound Region. We are independent and unaffiliated with any hospital, medical association or insurer. If you have questions or if your group has an upcoming event that you would like us to cover, please let us know by going to our "Contact Us" page and dropping us a note. -- Michael McCarthy, Editor
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