Health information technology has been touted as crucial to better healthcare, but a new report says an entirely new regulatory agency is needed to oversee this largely unregulated sector, which can also injure or kill patients if it’s not operating properly.

In pushing for a new oversight body, the respected Institute of Medicine, an independent research and advisory organization, is explicitly advising that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not be tasked with the job – a recommendation that is bound to be controversial.  [Read More]

South East Michigan Health Information Exchange joins Nationwide Health Information Network Exchange, also helps Social Security Administration improve eligibility processes. Read More

The TRICARE Management Activity  directed Science Applications International Corp. to provide credit monitoring services for up to 4.9 million beneficiaries whose health information was stored on backup computer tapes stolen from an SAIC employee’s car in San Antonio. Read More

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has unveiled an easy-to-read, standardized template to help consumers learn more about the privacy and security policies and data practices of personal health record (PHR) products. Read more.

The Health Information Management Systems Society is asking its members to lobby Congress for a “nationwide patient identity solution” to improve accuracy of patient medical records and reduce errors traced to misidentification.  Read more

FALLS CHURCH – Leading medical and recall news headlines from Noblis Health Innovation for Monday, July 11. Click on the underlined item for the actual link to the story:

When it comes to disclosing identifiable patient information, family doctors are reluctant to do so – even for public health purposes such as tracking influenza, according to a recent study.

FALLS CHURCH – Leading medical and recall news headlines from Noblis Health Innovation for Monday, July 11. Click on the underlined item for the actual link to the story:

The Joint Commission’s 2011 National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) for hospitals should be included in electronic health record certification and criteria for meaningful use.

FALLS CHURCH – Leading medical and recall news headlines from Noblis Health Innovation for Monday, March 21. Click on the underlined item for the actual link to the story:

•  Medwatch alert: Defibtech will provide customers with a free software upgrade. Because the conditions that may lead to a canceled shock occur rarely, it is recommended that customers keep their AEDs in service during the software upgrade process. Full instructions and recommendations are being mailed to affected customers.

FALLS CHURCH – Leading medical and recall news headlines from Noblis Health Innovation for Monday, March 21. Click on the underlined item for the actual link to the story:

• Learn more about GS1: For over 35 years, GS1 global supply chain standards have delivered proven results in many industries including the groundbreaking U.P.C. in retail. Now the U.S. healthcare industry is working together to leverage the value of GS1 Standards to improve patient safety and supply chain efficiency.