New Study: Access to Data Not Impeded by HIPAA
Did you know that the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which allows states to continue having privacy laws more stringent than the federal standard, has not prevented health care providers from using personal health data to treat patients and enhance health care quality, according to a recent study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation?
Researchers affiliated with George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services reviewed federal and state court decisions from 1996 to 2006 involving HIPAA. According to the authors, none of the cases specifically involving questions of conflict between state and federal requirements concerned the denial of a health care provider's access to health information to treat patients, improve quality, or disseminate information for transparency purposes.
The authors say they found no evidence from these legal decisions that more stringent state laws preclude securing necessary data at the point of treatment or including health information in electronic databases used for quality improvement or transparency.
And so, in order to bring you the most recent information on this emerging concern, and related topics of vital interest to all hospitals, healthcare organizations, medical clinics and practices, our national health IT expert Dr. Brent A. Metfessel; MS, CMP™ (Hon) updates and reports on the Financial and Clinical Features of Hospital Information Systems, in this important issue.
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In This H.I.S. Chapter Update: Table of Contents:
Overview of System Architectures
Table 1: Relationship of Resource Use and Customizability Based on System Architecture
Figure 1: Schematic of an integrated system
A. Types of Hospital Information Systems
1. Administrative Systems
2. Clinical Systems
B. Hospital Information Systems and Regulatory Requirements
C. The Build or Buy Decision
D. The Financial Effects of Improved Quality of Care
1. Bar Coding Systems
2. Computerized Physician Order Entry Systems
Table 2: Summary of Potential Benefits of Computerized Physician Order Entry
3. Clinical Guideline Implementation Systems
Figure 2: Example of a Flowchart from an Acute Pulmonary Edema Algorithmic Guideline
4. Electronic Medical Records
E. Transition Organization
F. The Effect on the Cost of Medical Care
Table 3: Financial Data Supports the Value of Information Systems
Case Model:
Mountain Medical Center’s Experience with a Computerized Physician Order Entry System
Checklist 1: Strategic Planning Checklists
Checklist 2: Vendor Selection Checklists
Checklist 3: Organizational and Cultural Issues Checklists
Checklist 4: Hospital Information System Administrative Functions Checklists
Checklist 5: Hospital Information System Clinical Functions Checklists
Checklist 6: Clinical Guideline Implementation Functions Checklists
Appendix 1: Partial Example of an Order Set for an Admission for Heart Failure Appendix
Appendix 2: Hospital Quality Improvement Program Assessment Appendix
Appendix 3: Hospital Performance Improvement Department Scope of Care Appendix
Appendix 4: Hospital Performance Improvement Report Appendix
Appendix 5: Evaluating Hospital Performance Improvement Functions Appendix
Appendix 6: AHRQ Hospital Safety Reporting Issues Appendix
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AND: In This Health Institution Endowment Fund Management Chapter Update:
In order to bring you the most recent information, new asset management percentages, class rankings, alternative investment strategies, economic risk dampening principles, and updates on health-law policy and administration according to the new Pension Protection Act [PPA], our institutional capital management expert J. Wayne Firebaugh; CFP™ CPA - a new breed of fiduciary and informed Certified Medical Planner™ - updates and reports on Hospital Endowment Fund Management in this important issue.