The Informatics Review Vol. 6 No. 11 - June 1 2003 -- Current Reviews in Clinical Informatics

HIPPA privacy: Separating myths from facts
Although health care organizations had more than 24 months to implement the HIPAA privacy rule, much confusion and misunderstanding persists. Without doubt, there may be some real barriers and glitches in the law, but at this stage it is important to clear up the glaring misconceptions. Following are some commonly repeated myths regarding the rule, and the facts about what the law actually says.

2003 Physician IT Leadership Survey
To participate in this national survey and receive a complimentary individualized report, complete the following form.

Study of Technology Adoption in California Medical Groups, IPAs, and Community Clinics
The study focused on the following five key research questions:
   1. How are California medical groups, IPAs, and community clinics currently using information technology in the delivery of care?
   2. How can information technology be used to improve quality of care, service, efficiency, and organizational performance?
   3. How are decisions made about technology investment and adoption?
   4. What are the barriers to more effective and accelerated adoption of information technology solutions to improve quality of patient care and organizational performance?
   5. How might CHCF and other organizations stimulate, enable, accelerate, and enhance adoption of information technology solutions?

Always vigilant
At Banner Health in Phoenix, a computerized decision-support system helps warn caregivers when adverse drug interactions or other harmful events are imminent. More than a thousand times last year, physicians practicing at three Phoenix-area hospitals made crucial changes in patient therapy that prevented or headed off harm they didn't see coming until a vigilant computer intervened. Imminent consequences such as medication-induced heart stoppages, kidney complications and unchecked bleeding were stopped in their tracks.

ASTM International, HIMSS and Massachusetts Medical Society Align to Establish New Continuity of Care Standard
An ongoing record of care, the Continuity of Care Record (CCR) should be created or updated at the end of every healthcare encounter and available for review by the next provider, no matter what and where the healthcare setting might be. As a result, that provider would use the CCR to guide the care process for the patient. The patient also may request a CCR printout to provide valid and current information for another healthcare provider.

Credibility, Accuracy, and Readability: Consumer Expectations Regarding Online Health Information
51% have difficulty separating credible online health information from that which is not trustworthy. The leading attributes desired (defined by importance) by online consumers in a health information source online are up to date information, high quality, trustworthy, and content that is relevant to specific diseases or conditions of interest.

Surgeons get a digital assistant
Steady hands, clear eyes and trained minds always have been the main tools of orthopedic surgeons. But now the doctors are adding a digital assistant the computer's exceptional precision has begun to advise surgeons on how to align bones in certain operations.

Other issues from Volume 6 -- 2001

1 -- Jan 1

5 -- Mar 1

9 --- May 1

13 -- Jul 1

17 -- Sep 1

21 -- Nov 1

2 -- Jan 15

6 -- Mar 15

10 -- May 15

14 -- Jul 15

18 -- Sep 15

22 -- Nov 15

3 -- Feb 1

7 -- Apr 1

11 -- Jun 1

15 -- Aug 1

19 -- Oct 1

23 -- Dec 1

4 -- Feb 15

8 -- Apr 15

12 -- Jun 15

16 -- Aug 15

20 -- Oct 15

24 -- Dec 15

5/14/03 dfs

1 -- Jan 1	5 -- Mar 1	9 --- May 1	13 -- Jul 1	17 -- Sep 1	21 -- Nov 1
2 -- Jan 15	6 -- Mar 15	10 -- May 15	14 -- Jul 15	18 -- Sep 15	22 -- Nov 15
3 -- Feb 1	7 -- Apr 1	11 -- Jun 1	15 -- Aug 1	19 -- Oct 1	23 -- Dec 1
4 -- Feb 15	8 -- Apr 15	12 -- Jun 15	16 -- Aug 15	20 -- Oct 15	24 -- Dec 15