The state of Rhode Island has launched a new system for tracking H1N1 flu that uses prescribing data provided by pharmacies throughout the state via a secure electronic link. Enabled by the state's e-prescribing and the digital healthcare infrastructure, the system is believed to be the first of its kind.
A new study published in Health Affairs finds that hospitals that disproportionately care for low-income patients are falling behind in adopting electronic health records.
GE Healthcare has launched a new business unit designed to improve healthcare systems connectivity for clinicians and patients.
The American Medical Association has launched AMAfluhelp.org to improve physician-patient communication and the coordination of care.
Practices making the plunge into electronic health records prior to the final definition of "meaningful use" should require the EHR contract guarantee the system will meet those requirements.
Economic and health reform uncertainty have more primary care practices considering selling to hospitals, according to discussion at the 2009 Medical Group Management Association annual conference in Denver last month.
Medicare Part B causes medical groups the least amount of hassle, according to a survey of 1,700 practices released at the Medical Group Management Association?s annual conference in Denver last month.
Inform your malpractice insurance carrier any time you have suspicion that a patient is considering a lawsuit.
Supplies in your practice can cost more than you think.
Allowing a doctor to bill for a discharge the night before it occurs prevents a situation in which patients are occupying hospital beds solely in wait of a physician.
The author describes feeling busy and bored - the perfect recipe for burnout - until a reacquaintance refreshes his perspective.
Holston Medical Group employs team-based strategy to treat patients with cardiometabolic disorders.
Starting Jan. 1, 2010, you will have a new opportunity to accumulate wealth in a tax-free piggy bank.
Investors should consider obtaining a qualified second opinion when concerned about "bleeding" of portfolio values due to market losses.
HSAs are a tax-free, interest-bearing investment tool in which funds deposited can be spent only on qualified health services.
As healthcare enters a critical stage, Medical Economics will continue to provide information on practice management, patient care and personal and professional finances.
Several entities will receive more than $90 million in funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for efforts involving electronic health records (EHRs) or informatics it was recently announced.
Merck & Co. has released iPhone applications for the professional and consumer editions of its Merck Manual.
Microsoft has launched a new Web site, www.h1n1responsecenter.com, with a self-assessment tool to help individuals with flu-like symptoms determine whether their illness is severe enough to warrant immediate medical attention, and whether they are at risk for developing severe disease. The site also offers practical advice for those with flu-like symptoms.
After a successful pilot program in the Seattle area, a website that matches cash-paying patients to healthcare providers is slated to launch nationwide on November 2.
Patients are willing to use e-mail and physicians' websites to communicate with their doctors in an effort to save time, as long as they do not have to pay for the ability.
Pfizer allegedly promoted four drugs for off-label indications and caused false claims to be submitted to government health care programs for uses that were not medically accepted indications and therefore not covered by those programs.
A look at state legislation affecting primary care doctors.
The hospitalist career path is among medicine's fastest growing specialties.
The Department of Health and Human Services will join state multi-payer patient-centered medical home demonstration programs next year as a payer.
Too much available credit can hurt your credit score.
Deciding on a traditional versus Roth IRA calls into consideration several factors, including tax rates.
Meditation and experience sharing may improve mood and lower feelings of burnout, according to a study in JAMA.
Retail health clinics provide care for routine illnesses at a lower cost and similar quality as offered in physician offices, urgent care centers or emergency departments, according to a new study.
Staff overtime can cost practices thousands of dollars yearly. Learn how to control overtime.