Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) Self-Assessment Examination (SAE)
The 100 questions Self-Assessment Examination (SAE) provides an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the format of the software used to administer this exam, as well as the type of items used on the examination. The questions on the SAE are presented in the same computer format as the CPHIMS examination. The SAE is also an excellent study tool for examination candidates, credentialed practitioners, students, and anyone interested in measuring and sharpening their individual performance.

Key Medical Workstation Client Runs on Linux
WorldVistA reports success in getting the VA Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) VistA client running on Linux using WINE and Crossover office.

VA faces another computer problem
The HeV study was conducted from November 2004 through January by consultants with Carnegie's SoftWare Engineering Institute. The report agreed that the VA needs to replace its current computer system, but cited many technical and managerial problems with the VA's plans: * Deadlines - not test results - are driving the project. "Critical processes and procedures (are) frequently eliminated to meet end dates." * The VA has inadequately assessed risks and alternatives. * Managers at headquarters don't listen to experts, and "many decisions are driven by unrealistic, subjective information." * VA culture inhibits "raising risks, issues, problems or differing opinions." * The project management office "does not have the needed staff, authority, responsibility or operational procedures."

A 16-Point Checklist for HIPAA Security
This article highlights 16 questions that can help identify common application deficiencies and options for their remediation. The starting point for reviewing the technical safeguard compliance requirements for applications is to determine whether the application needs to be evaluated at all. To begin this process, the security office should ask this qualifying question: Does the application create, receive, maintain or transmit electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI)? For all applications that process ePHI in some way, the entity must pursue responses to the next 15 questions.

National health-IT coordinator David Brailer challenged the private sector to tackle 5 crucial elements of his vision of an interoperable national health information network.
* Standards harmonization. * Clear, unambiguous policies about data control and ownership. * Common security practices. * Security of vendor products. * Interoperability as a business model.

Keyboards latest culprit in hospital infections
A new study says potentially harmful bacteria can survive on computer keyboards and keyboard covers up to 24 hours, a threat to hospital patients as more institutions implement electronic systems and bring technology to patients' bedsides.

Surgeon challenges proposed rules regarding data
The group wanted to find a way for hospitals to report surgical infection data. The Surgical Infection Prevention measures created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services fit the bill, Streit said. Those measures spell out a list of approved antibiotics for different types of surgeries. They also call for hospitals to report the antibiotics used one hour before surgery starts and to stop using the antibiotics 24 hours after surgery ends. {Ed. Note:} This is just one more example of how difficult it is to find a measurement that everyone can agree on!