AMA adopts guidance for HIT donations
As adoption of health information technology in physician practices continues to grow, the American Medical Association (AMA) passed new policy aimed at helping physicians who accept or donate health information technology (HIT) from or to hospitals or health systems. As part of its new policy, the AMA will:

Impact of an Automated Test Results Management System on Patients' Satisfaction About Test Result Communication
After adjusting for patient age, sex, race, socioeconomic status, and insurance type, the intervention significantly increased patient satisfaction with test results communication (odds ratio, 2.35). In addition, patients in the postintervention group were more satisfied with information given them for medical treatments and conditions regarding their results.

Continuity of Care Document (CCD) Quick Start Guide
The Continuity of Care Document Quick Start Guide (QSG) is provided free of charge by EHRVA, as a service to vendors and others who will be implementing healthcare documents based on the CCD Implementation Guide. EHRVA’s goal is to accelerate implementation of this standard which is integral to several key HITSP interoperability specifications and IHE content profiles, and is expected to be required for CCHIT certification.

Influence of the HIPAA Privacy Rule on Health Research
Anecdotal reports suggest that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Rule (HIPAA Privacy Rule) may be affecting health research in the United States. In this national survey of clinical scientists, only a quarter perceived that the rule has enhanced participants' confidentiality and privacy, whereas the HIPAA Privacy Rule was perceived to have a substantial, negative influence on the conduct of human subjects health research, often adding uncertainty, cost, and delay.

Mr. HIStalk's universal rules for big EMR rollouts
In case you haven't heard of Mr. HIStalk, here's a link to his blog illustrating his uncanny ability to succinctly say exactly what we all think and are afraid will slip out at the most inopportune time. Universal Rule #8. You'll loudly demand that the vendor ship regular software upgrades to fix all the bug issues you submit, but then you'll refuse to apply them because you're scared of screwing something up with the skeleton maintenance staff you can afford, given that millions were spent on systems with nothing left for additional IT support staff or training.