News 9/17/13

The ONC releases models for Notices of Privacy Practices for healthcare providers, which reflect the Omnibus Rule regulatory changes that go into effect September 23.

Quality Insights of Delaware REC becomes the nation’s first REC to have 1,000 primary care providers demonstrate Stage 1 MU.

Here’s a figure that surprised me: 41 percent of US consumers would be willing to switch doctors to gain online access to their own EMR. As much as I love the idea of having full access to my personal health records, it would take more than the prospect of EMR access to motivate me to switch physicians. I do agree with the 84 percent of consumers who believe they should have full access to their EMR, and, mildly annoyed that only a third of physician think it’s a good idea. Currently only a third of Americans have full online access to their EMR, but  more than half track some aspect of their health history online, including physical activity, weight, and/or blood pressure.

The AMA releases the 2014 CPT code set, which includes 335 code changes

Washington Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (DC/MD) selects SRS EHR for its 11 providers and three locations.

The eight-provider Tustin Irvine Medical Group (CA) selects iSALUS Healthcare’s OfficeEMR.

Kansas Nephrology Physicians is implementing Benchmark Systems’ billing platform for its seven-physician practice.

Hayes Management Technology adds its go-live support and legacy support services to its website.

GMed adds LDM Group’s messaging programs for patient medication compliance to its EHR platform for gastroenterology.

Mann Ear, Nose & Throat (NC) provides its 10,000 patients mobile access to their medical information using echoBase’s Resonate software platform.

Frost & Sullivan presents Vitera Healthcare Solutions its 2013 North American Customer Value Enhancement Award for outstanding performance and success, which recognizes the company’s focus on implementing strategies to create customer value.

Nuance Communications announces an Epic-optimized version of its Dragon Medical 360 | Network Edition.

The American College of Physicians is the latest industry group to suggest changes for the EHR incentive program. In a letter to CMS, the ACP says that the current Meaningful Use timeline is “aggressive” and warns that  the program’s success may be limited when combined with overly ambitious objectives. The ACP recommends that requirements become less prescriptive to allow EPs of all specialties to be creative in applying technology to the unique characteristics of their practice, specialty, and patient population.

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