The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology has developed a proposal that would create more certification options for health IT firms and healthcare providers, including open-source developers. CCHIT's proposal would create three certification paths: EHR Comprehensive (EHR-C), EHR Module (EHR-M) and EHR Site (EHR-S). The new options attempt to address concerns from open-source software developers about the costs and licensing issues involved with certification.
Boston is becoming a hub for information technology and games that help people achieve fitness goals. AWare Technologies Inc., FitnessKeeper Inc. and Molecular Inc. all track fitness data via cellular phones and web applications, for example.
U.S. Oncology, Inc. has announced the launch of iKnowMed to the open market. iKnowMed is an oncology-specific electronic health record system designed by oncologists for oncologists, according to a U.S. Oncology, Inc. release.
The American Medical Association has announced it is working with Microsoft to better connect patients with their physicians through Microsoft's HealthVault, a platform developed by Microsoft to store and maintain health and fitness information. Through this collaboration, physicians will be able to access self reported patient health information at the point of care, while enabling patients to access vital information that has been entered through the physician's office, according to an AMA release.
Memorial Health System of East Texas has started using the "RP-7," a wireless "remote presence robot." Through a partnership with MHSET, doctors from the Methodist Hosptial in Houston will have the capability of "beaming" into the Lufkin hospital through the robot, providing quicker more complete care, according to its creator, InTouch Health. MHSET's RP-7 is one of only 250 worldwide.
Microsoft is teaming with the University of Miami for a pilot study to see if software and primary care can improve the healthcare of 25 diabetics. The 25 patients, most of them on Medicaid, will be given computers and, if necessary, trained in how to use them. They will then use several Microsoft programs through a Web portal to communicate with an advanced nurse practitioner and doctors about what's happening with their conditions.