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The article observes that interoperability of electronic health records (EHRs) and other healthcare information technology (IT) systems in the U.S. remains elusive. Topics discussed include interoperability as a means to reduce healthcare waste and fraud as well as the 10-year interoperability road map released in January 2015 by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC). Also mentioned are different routes to interoperability and rationale for U.S. federal rules.

The article discusses the reported dangers that are associated with electronic medical systems as of May 2013, focusing on trial attorneys, medical malpractice claims, and various concerns regarding the U.S. Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology's push to transfer paper medical records to electronic health records (EHRs) by 2014. Privacy concerns and EHR errors are addressed, including electronic pharmaceutical prescribing problems.

The article reports on the growing concern over the refinement of the continuity-of-care document (CCD) in the U.S. It notes that many people involved in health informatics believe that the care document refinement has the potential to undermine effective sharing of information on patient care. It also highlights the opposition of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to the specification of standards in its criteria for stage 1 meaningful use. INSET: A Physician-Friendly CCD.

The article focuses on the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (IT) Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB) 2011/2012 certifications for Axolotl Corp.'s Axolotl electronic health record (EHR), version 7 and Elysium EMR Lite. It says that Axolotl EHR and Elysium EMR were confirmed via Certifiction Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT(r)) and InfoGard Laboratories Inc., respectively. It explores the CCHIT(r) and InfoGard Laboratories.

An interview with Don Rucker, an American medical informatician and emergency physician is presented. It cites on Rucker's vision for healthcare information technology in electronic health records (EHR). The article also discusses the role of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) in reducing the physician's burden on patients' health records.

The article discusses the compliance process for the Meaningful Use Stage 2 (MU2) Incentive Program in the U.S. Topics covered include the inability of electronic health record (EHR) vendors to meet the 2014 Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) criteria, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) postponement of MU2 attestation to 2015, and the difficulties from electronic participation of patients.

The article offers views of Karen B. DeSalvo, the national coordinator for Health Information Technology of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), concerning the interoperable health information technology platform. It mentions that digital medical records will help in gathering data for comparative effectiveness research. It also mentions that the data could be shared by clinicians, labs, hospitals, pharmacies and patients regardless of the application or vendor.

The article focuses on the certification of the inpatient electronic health record (EHR) system version 4.2 of dbMotion Ltd. by the U.S. Office of the National Coordinator-Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB).It says that the certification was made under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) 2011/2012 EHR Modular Certification. It states that the certification covers the use electronic copy of health information and discharge instructions, and patient summary data.

The article reports on the plan of Krames StayWell to integrate the U.S. Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) Direct Project messaging standards on its Krames On-Demand patient education system. It says that the Direct Project encrypted e-mail will be leveraged using Microsoft HealthVault. It adds that Direct Project offers secure patient education resources and is consistent to Stage 2 Meaningful Use for patients' secure online messaging.

The article reports on the launch for Investing in Innovation (i2) Initiative by U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Rolled out in June 2011, the initiative uses prizes and competitions to promote innovations in health information technology (IT). Moreover, the launch was followed with the 5-million dollar award given by ONC to Capital Consulting Corp. (CCC) and Health 2.0 LLC to fund their research projects.

The article reports the budget allocations for information technology (IT) under the 2009 economic package of U.S. President Barack Obama. Health IT receives $20 and $23 billion from House and Senate allocations, respectively. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT will get a total funding of $5 billion. Budget for cybersecurity infrastructures includes $120 million for backup information management facility for the U.S. State Department and $98.5 million for the department's share of the Comprehensive National Security Initiative.

The article focuses on the function of the regional extension centers (REC) programs in implementing an electronic health record (EHR). The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) states that RECs are designed to help primary care clinicians in the use of EHR. Scott Irwin, director of state engagement, states that working with RECs has been an ongoing educational process from a vendor standpoint.

The article discusses how health care organizations deal with data breaches. A federal notification rule requires organizations to report health information breaches. Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology's (ONC) deputy director for health information privacy Susan McAndrew urges breached organizations to embrace the transparency of breach notification requirements. Some factors that breached organizations should consider are discussed.

The adoption of HL7's emerging Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources standard for sharing electronic medical information has reached critical mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the final rules for meaningful use of electronic health records (EHR) which were released by Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The article mentions that the rules were published on July 28, 2010 at the Federal Register and became effective late in September. The article notes that CMS offers complete summary of the EHR incentive program on its web site. The article also provides information on the myths of optometry in relation to EHR.

Agency seeks tool to make it easier for clinicians to report concerns about the usability or safety of EHRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agency picks start-up for finding security vulnerabilities and hacking into an FHIR server, says Gajen Sunthara. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer appoints Grey, Miri to 2 remaining slots on 30-member panel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New framework to help providers improve their ability to link records to the right individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The guidance will be used by the HHS' Office of the Inspector General to guide investigation and enforcement activities, says Donald Rucker, MD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article informs about a report released by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) which states that some health information vendors and health care providers are interfering with the use of electronic health information.

Framework for assessing progress is critical to gauging data exchange progress, says Doug Fridsma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agency wants more uniformity, common processes to reach interoperability, says Genevieve Morris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]