News 7/13/10

Henry Schein’s Dentrix Enterprise Dental PM software earns national certification from the US Indian Health Service, meaning all federal and tribal sites can deploy its electronic dental record.

A writer for the LA Times recommends a few of his favorite healthcare apps, which include a how-to CPR program and a calorie tracker tool. However, the one I’m looking forward to seeing is HEARTifacts, which will help people locate the closet automatic external defibrillator.

A Northwestern University School of Medicine professor develops a talking touch screen computer kiosk program that’s now being tested at three Chicago-area cancer clinics. The professor believes the multimedia touch screen tools will improve satisfaction and care for patients with diverse language, literacy, and computer skills.

In what may be the first documented iPhone 4 medical video consultation, an Arizona surgeon connects with a colleague in California to check out a foot reconstruction. One of the physicians called the real-time consult a “game-changing tool” with the potential to change how doctors work with patients and each other.

Kodak and MedCo Data introduce a new patient chart-scanning solution for physician offices. It uses Kodak Capture Pro Software and scanners to capture data from patient charts and into the MedCo Data Vault.

E-mail messaging between patients and providers improves the quality of care provided, according to a Kaiser Permanente study. Patients with diabetes and/or hypertension were found to have statistically significant improvements in HEDIS scores when patients and physicians communicated via e-mail and were 7-10% less likely to schedule an office visit.

The National EyePA Coalition extends a preferred provider endorsement of the Eclipsys PeakPractice EMR. FoxFire Systems Group, a PeakPractice VAR, was named the preferred EMR provider for the 4,900-member IPA.

A couple of big organizations announce intentions to implement Allscripts products. The 120-provider Physicians Alliance (PA) plans to implement Allscripts EHR, which will connect to the Alliance’s existing Allscripts Vision PM system. Christ Hospital (NJ) will work with Allscripts reseller ITelagen to provide EHR and PM for the hospital’s affiliated medical practice.

Speaking of Allscripts, I am thrilled to welcome them as the latest HIStalk Practice Platinum sponsor. Allscripts has been a HIStalk supporter for quite some time and CEO Glen Tullman has always been accommodating any time we’ve asked him to share his impressions of the industry. Allscripts is a leader in the ambulatory care market and serves more than 160,000 physicians. The company also has a presence in 800 hospitals and provides solutions for post-acute care facilities and homecare agencies. Of course, since Allscripts’ traditional sweet spot has been the physician market, I think it is appropriate to welcome them “home” to HIStalk Practice. Thanks, Allscripts!

Medical billing service provider Medical Management, LLC (MD) selects Kareo as its software billing solution.

Set your alarm: CMS and ONC are hosting a press briefing Tuesday, July 13th at 10:00 a.m. EDT to announce the final rules on meaningful use, standards, and certifications. An all-star cast will be presenting, including Secretary Sebelius, new CMS head Donald Berwick, ONC chief David Blumenthal, and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin. A live webinar webcast is available.

The CEO for clinical analytics vendor Anvita Health believes that as more providers adopt EMRs, demand will rise for better reporting and analytics tools. Providers will soon realize the value of clinical data and look for better ways to use the information to evaluate patients and populations. Good news if you are in the data scrubbing business like Anvita.

CaroMount Health (NC) converts the first of 44 physician practices to NextGen’s EMR. The health system’s IS director expects it will take about two years to move over all the sites.

Maternal fetal medicine specialists at Regional Obstetric Consultants of Chattanooga and Knoxville create a seemingly successful telemedicine model that allows physicians to provide perinatal consults to high-risk women in rural Tennessee. The practice and the Community Health Network created Solutions to Obstetrics in Rural Counties (STORC) to improve specialist access through the use of videoconferencing technology. The BCBS of Tennessee Health Foundation provided $1.8 million to fund the three-year pilot project.

E-mail Inga.