A health information technology bill that would strengthen privacy protections for electronic health records has won the approval of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Health Subcommittee. The subcommittee approved the Protecting Records, Optimizing Treatment and Easing Communication Through Healthcare Technology Act of 2008. The bill now goes to the full committee, but there were signs that its path might not be as smooth as it was in the subcommittee after several committee members offered amendments to modify privacy protections and other aspects of the bill. The chief sponsor of the bill will meet with the dissatisfied subcommittee members to discuss their concerns and possibly compromise on the sections of the bill they find objectionable.
The FDA has issued a consumer update on safety in pediatric medical imaging to increase awareness for the need to decrease the radiation dose administered to children during CT scanning. The FDA's article supports the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging's Image Gently campaign, issued by the American College of Radiology. The article said that "unnecessary radiation exposure during medical procedures should be avoided. This is particularly important when the patient is a child."
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has announced that Ministry Health Care will begin using an electronic health record software suite developed by Marshfield Clinic for the majority of its hospitals and Ministry Medical Group. The move creates the largest patient database in Wisconsin. More than 1,000 providers in the Marshfield Clinic system will share access to 2.5 million patient records. Implementation of the EHR for Ministry will occur over three to five years.
Eugene Helveston, a retired Indiana University ophthalmologist, has developed an Internet-based telemedicine system that offers expertise to eye-care providers and their patients in developing countries. Through the Cyber-Sight program, some 140 "medical mentors" guide eye care in the virtual world by aiding more than 600 ophthalmology professionals in some 30 countries.
With an unprecedented boom in California hospital construction, many healthcare organizations are trying to build greener, more environmentally conscious medical centers. California hospitals are trying to build facilities that will use less energy, reduce the amount hazardous waste produced and promote a more healthful atmosphere for patients and staff. But there are several obstacles, including costs, for the green-seeking facilities to overcome.
A check forgery ring targeted patients at Boston-based New England Baptist Hospital, according to hospital and law enforcement officials. The forgers used private checking account information and stole identities to take as much as $3,000 from each victim. So far, nine victims have been identified by the hospital, but more may have been targeted, officials said.