April 2007

 

TOP RHIO NEWS

Wyoming Considering Health Information Sharing
The Wyoming Health Information Security and Policy Collaboration is currently assessing the barriers, possible solutions and implementation plans for a health information network in the state as part of a subcontract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to deal with this issue.  The collaboration group is expected to submit a report to the federal government sometime next month. 

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CMS Clarifies Guidelines for NPI Deadline Implementation
HIMSS Members should be aware that CMS has announced that it is implementing a contingency plan for covered entities (other than small health plans) who will not meet the May 23, 2007, deadline for compliance with the National Provider Identifier (NPI) regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. Read more

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The RHIO Symposium was a resounding success during HIMSS Annual Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.

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ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC POLICY

Advocacy Day Webinar --
HIT-ing the Radar Screen: Agenda-setting and the 110th Congress
This year Advocacy Day will be held on May 15 at the Washington Court Hotel. Don’t miss this year’s Advocacy Day webinar on April 20 at 12 noon (EST). A combination of working Hill staff and/or former Members of Congress will provide inside perspectives on which health-related legislative groups have been most visible in terms of agenda-setting in the 110th Congress, and what HIMSS can do before, during and after Advocacy Day to help Congress view Health IT as a legislative and political priority on both sides of the aisle.  Registration for Advocacy Day is available online.  Read more

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HIMSS Co-Sponsors Capitol Hill Briefing on HIT and Health Disparities
More than 60 congressional staffers and industry professionals gathered on Capitol Hill for a briefing on HIT and health disparities last month.  During the briefing, Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY) announced his plans to introduce HIT legislation that would provide health information technology zone grants across the country.  The legislation will not be introduced until later this year so Rep. Towns urged HIMSS and other stakeholders to work with his office during the drafting of the legislation. Read more

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HHS Secretary Leavitt Announces Steps toward a Future of
"Personalized Health Care"
Secretary Mike Leavitt recently outlined a course for achieving gene-based medical care combined with health information technology, which he called "Personalized Health Care." He said the initiative has the potential to transform the quality, safety and value of health care for patients in the future.   Read more

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TOOLS AND RESOURCES

Guide to Establishing a Regional Health Information Organization
Written by the HIMSS RHIO Guidebook Task Force, the book is a comprehensive resource to support and guide those who are exploring, or actively involved in community initiatives to establish a RHIO to support the interoperable exchange of health information.

2007 Annual Report of the U.S. Hospital IT Market
Get valuable new insights into the world of healthcare IT and the latest analysis on the penetration of IT applications in various sectors. Information gathered from 4,000+ American hospitals on more than 100 applications and technologies is provided. This valuable edition evaluates the financial and clinical application environments in U.S. hospitals.

HIMSS Privacy and Security Toolkit 2007 Available Free Online
The new version of the HIMSS P&S Toolkit offers new insights and up-to-date information in many areas, including a timely discussion of some national-level initiatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC).

New Fact Sheets Focus on NPI and EMR
Two new HIMSS fact sheets on electronic medical records (EMR) and the National Provider Identifier (NPI) are available free online.

Review or print the handouts from HIMSS 2007 Annual Conference and Exhibition Education Sessions. Access the handouts at this link.  The computer-based e-Sessions allow you to view PowerPoint slides with synchronized audio on topics presented at HIMSS07 such as self pay, patient web portals, disaster preparedness, HIE and workflow management. e-Sessions are approved for up to 7.6 hours of continuing education credit for CPHIMS. Purchase your e-Sessions CD-ROM at this link.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

HIMSS Webinar -- Connecting Pennsylvanians for Better Health
April 18, 2007

Advocacy Day Webinar Provides Inside Look at Congressional Agenda
Don't miss Advocacy Day's pre-event Webinar, "HIT-ing the Radar Screen: Agenda-setting and the 110th Congress." on April 20.

RHIO/HIE Connecting Communities Regional Forums
May 3 – Orlando, Fla.
May 10 – Boston, Mass.

HIMSS Advocacy Day/Health IT Day on Capitol Hill
May 15

National Health IT Week
May 14-18

Take Advantage of Early Bird Discounts at the HIMSS Virtual Conference & Expo - May 16-17
Register by April 16 and save up to 50 percent on education sessions at the inaugural HIMSS Virtual Conference & Expo May 16 and 17.

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HIMSS Business Information Systems Team
Pat Wise, Vice President of Health Information Systems, 706-650-1482
Pam Matthews, Director of Business Information Systems, 706-838-0583
Sharolyn Rosier Hyson, Editor of the RHIO Connection and Manager of Public Policy Communications, 703-837-9819
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