What's Happening In Health IT

In This Issue

We're making a strong case this week explaining how health IT is integral to helping doctors, nurses and others transform care to provide better health. Read on and discover what practices and hospitals in Austin, Texas, Bangor, Maine and all over Rhode Island are doing to use health IT to provide better health. Also, there are a slew of webinars on tap so check them out!

Draft test procedures comment deadline TODAY!

The 2014 Edition Release 2 draft test procedures have been posted for public comment onwww.healthit.gov/EHR-Cert-2014-R2. The deadline for comments is today, November 7th, and we really want to hear your input.

Findings From The Beacon Communities

A new special issue of the journal eGEMs (Generating Evidence & Methods to Improve Patient Outcomes) presents a series of articles that examine how communities funded under the Beacon Community Cooperative Agreement Program deployed a range of health IT ‎solutions to support efforts to drive improvements in quality and reduce costs across the health care system. The special issue was sponsored by Academy Health's Beacon Evidence and Innovation Network with support from the Commonwealth Fund. Read about successes and challenges from the Beacon Communities that offer important lessons for communities around the country.

RIQI Uses ADTs to Improve Care

The Rhode Island Quality Institute, which is both the health information exchange and regional extension center for the state, is using admit, discharge and transfer (ADT) alerts in its neonatal intensive care unit to help improve care coordination. RIQI has compiled data to reduce readmissions, provide better care, and help control costs in our latest Health IT Buzz blog post!

Nov. 30: Hospital and CAH Attestation Deadline

The meaningful use attestation deadline for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) is quickly approaching. Hospitals and CAHs must attest no later than November 30 to receive a 2014 incentive payment. Hospitals participating in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program need to refer to their state deadlines. The CMS Attestation System is open and fully operational, and now includes the 2014 Certified EHR Technology (CEHRT) Flexibility Rule options. Medicare eligible hospitals can attest any time to 2014 data until 11:59 p.m. EST on November 30, 2014.

Reminder: Medicare eligible hospitals must attest to demonstrating meaningful use every year to receive an incentive and avoid a payment adjustment.

IOM on Health IT

The IOM Committee on the Recommended Social and Behavioral Domains and Measures for Electronic Health records releases its Phase 2 report on Capturing Social and Behavioral Domains and Measures in Electronic Health Records, on Nov. 13 at 11am EST. Join the free webinar to learn more.

Spotlight on Health Webinar

In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month, join the Healthy People 2020 (#HP2020) Spotlight at the Health Webinar: Emerging Technologies to Improve Glycemic Control among Persons with Diabetes, Thursday, Nov. 13. Our own David Hunt, M.D. is a featured speaker at the live event which begins promptly at Noon EST. You can select this link to your web browser to attend. See you Thursday!

Federal Advisory Committee Schedule Week of Nov. 10

MondayThe Health IT Policy Committee's Privacy & Security Workgroup meets at 2pm. The workgroup chair will post the agenda and meeting materials prior to the meeting so watch for updates!