Stay Connected
      
Vol. 11 No. 3, January 29, 2014
SAVE THE DATE
BIG DATA is a Big Issue | Reserve the date now - March 25, 2014.
Electronic health records and health information exchanges can serve to aggregate and share comprehensive patient records, (and) the optimal use of Big Data can begin. Early uses will help avoid readmissions and adverse events, such as those due to a lack of awareness of pre-existing conditions, or negative drug interactions. As more information is aggregated into the patient record, including from online medical devices in the home, innovative clinical decision support and predictive analytics will emerge. To leverage this volume of data, Big Data technology and techniques will be essential. Explore the reality with experts from HIMSSAnalytics.
Registration will open soon. Sign up for our event alerts here to stay up to date on the conference.
FACTS AND STATS
Where Are We on the Diffusion Curve? Trends and Drivers of Primary Care Physicians' Use of Health Information Technology
Primary care physicians' adoption of electronic health records in US increased significantly between 2009 and 2012, but there continues to be a "digital divide" between large and small physician practices, according to a new study by the Commonwealth Fund.
The study found that EHR adoption by primary care physicians increased from 46% in 2009 to 69% in 2012. In addition, a majority of doctors are using core health IT functions, such as clinical decision support, electronic prescribing and electronic ordering of laboratory tests.
The study found that in 2012 one third (33%) of physicians could electronically exchange clinical summaries and 35% could electronically share lab or diagnostic tests with physicians outside their practices. Researchers noted that practice size significantly affected EHR adoption.
http://www.fiercehealthit.com/story/digital-divide-persists-health-it-adoption/2014-01-26
MEDICAL GADGETS
Winkymote, an Eyelid Powered TV Remote Control
People with quadriplegia suffer from some of the greatest limitations in physical ability, not being able to do many of the simplest tasks. Winkymote is a project headed by Katia Vega, that allows a severely paralyzed former jujitsu fighter to operate a TV by blinking his eyes. The Winkymote is operated thanks to the Empowder material that was developed to sense the movement of a person’s skin. It hides much of the electronic components and looks transparent. The system runs on the Clio Arduino open-source microcontroller and interfaces with an infrared TV remote to allow the user to change channels and turn it on and off.
http://www.medgadget.com/2014/01/winkymote-an-eyelid-powered-tv-remote-control.html
No More Needles? Nanopatch May Revolutionize Vaccinations
Needles and syringes have helped save untold number of lives, but they suffer from a few persistent negatives, including the fact that many people, and especially kids, mortally fear them, and needle stick injuries still happen much too often. Mark Kendall of Vaxxas (Sydney, Australia) is presenting a device that can deliver vaccines without needles nor the associated pain, fear, and anxiety, and all with seemingly improved delivery and effectiveness than injections (video).
http://www.medgadget.com/2014/01/no-more-needles-nanopatch-may-revolutionize-vaccinations.html
GLOBAL WATERCOOLER
United States and United Kingdom Sign Healthcare IT Memorandum of Understanding
NHS England and the Health and Social Care Information Centre have signed a healthcare IT memorandum of understanding with the US Department for Health and Social Services. The MoU focuses on sharing common values around healthcare informatics and making it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises to get a foot in the door on both sides of the Atlantic.
http://www.ehi.co.uk/news/EHI/9172/us-uk-sign-healthcare-it-mou
Two Danish e-Signature Solutions Are Becoming Mobile
The Danish Agency for Digitisation has chosen the supplier of a service provide package for making two e-signature solutions mobile. The solution will support mobile application of NemID (Danish eSignature and eID system) employee signature with a central signature server. From Q2 2014 be possible to use NemID employee signature card from mobile platforms. This makes two out of three signature solutions mobile.
http://www.epractice.eu/en/news/5421357
Ericsson Nikola Tesla to Implement Project for e-Health System in Armenia
Armenia's Government and Finance Ministry have chosen the Croatian company Ericsson Nikola Tesla to design and implement an e-Health system in Armenia. This pilot project is aimed at modernizing Armenia's healthcare system by introducing modern information communication technologies to improve the quality of health services and patients' satisfaction with the healthcare system. The project, which includes the implementation of a central hospital information system and a central integrated healthcare system, will last 95 days and cover six hospitals and insurance companies.
http://dalje.com/en-economy/ericsson-nikola-tesla-to-implement-project-for-e-health-system-in-armenia/497703
Newfoundland and Labrador Launches Electronic Health Record Viewer HEALTHe NL
The development of the provincial electronic health record, HEALTHe NL, continues to progress with the addition of the HEALTHe NL Viewer. Leveraging Pharmacy Network and Drug Information System, the HEALTHe NL Viewer gives authorized healthcare professionals secure and real-time access to patient medication profiles. Eventually, the HEALTHe NL Viewer will provide access to more comprehensive medical information including lab results, diagnostic images and select clinical records.
http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2014/health/0117n05.htm
TRENDS
The Sandbox Project to Receive $450,000 in Funding to Build Virtual Mental Health Support Network for Youth Living with Mental Illness
The Sandbox Project announced $450,000 in joint funding to kick-start the second phase of The Sandbox Mental Health Initiative – a new virtual health network and mobile app to support youth and their families in the treatment of mental illness. Building on the success of the Mental Health Engagement Network (MHEN), a similar network and app for adults with mental illness delivered by Lawson Health Research Institute in partnership with Canada Health Infoway and TELUS Health, this app is aimed to help youth and their families proactively manage their mental illness. Through the app, users will have access to records containing their health information and can stay connected with their network of care providers through instant messaging. The app, which will be tested by approximately 150 youth patients, also includes regular surveys to gauge mood levels, and the ability to track activities from taking medication to visits with the doctor.
http://www.telushealth.com/news-and-events/news-releases/release/2014/01/23/the-sandbox-project-to-receive-$450-000-in-funding-to-build-virtual-mental-health-support-network-for-youth-living-with-mental-illness
Canada: Interim Privacy Commissioner Provides Recommendations to Parliament for the Protection of Privacy Rights in National Security Efforts
On the occasion of International Data Privacy Day, a special report to Parliament by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, with specific recommendations to address current issues surrounding privacy and national security, was tabled in Parliament. Building from consultation with a range of experts and civil society, the Office’s report makes a series of recommendations for Parliament to consider in order to strengthen privacy protection. Specifically, it suggests ways to increase transparency, modernize privacy laws and bolster Parliament’s oversight role.
http://www.priv.gc.ca/media/nr-c/2014/nr-c_140128_e.asp
Philips and MEDSI to Enter New Healthcare Technology Partnership in Russia
Philips and MEDSI, Russia's largest network of private clinics, announced a strategic partnership to develop a clinical network aimed at providing efficient medical care in Russia. This new partnership goes beyond the traditional supply of innovative medical equipment and advanced technologies. It includes the access to Philips' international expertise in hospital management and the company’s conceptual understanding of hospital settings. The financial details of the partnership will not be disclosed.
http://www.ehealthnews.eu/philips/3796-philips-and-medsi-to-enter-new-healthcare-technology-partnership-in-russia
SIMPLY THE BEST
Canada: Nipissing University Educator Recognized for Leadership in Digital Health
The Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing and Canada Health Infoway awarded Dr. Aroha Page, associate professor, Nipissing University, with the 2013 Nursing Faculty E-Health Award. Through her role as a leader, teacher, mentor and advocate, Dr. Page is advancing e-health competence in her students at all levels. Her curriculum links e-health within nursing’s practice framework and includes students developing a knowledge translation website.
https://www.infoway-inforoute.ca/index.php/news-media/2014-news-releases/nipissing-university-educator-recognized-for-leadership-in-digital-health
INFOWAY UPDATE
Find Out What's New and Happening at Canada Health Infoway
Know. Learn. Implement. Subscribe to the Longwoods eLetter.
eHealthRecord.info brings you the latest news, best practices, policy and ideas in eHealth. The subject is salient to advancing the quality of care; our objective is to provide you with clarity and to keep you current. eHealthRecord.info is published every two weeks. You can, of course, opt in [or out] at any time; just click the unsubscribe link below. Send this to a colleague who might be interested; they too can sign up. Tell us what you think or what you would like included: email the editor. |
