Feature: Nuc med community urges senator to lift 'hold' on isotope bill

SNM, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, the American College of Cardiology and a coalition of medical and national security organizations have urged Sen. Christopher S. "Kit" Bond, R-Mo., to lift a "hold" on the American Medical Isotope Production Act (H.R. 3276), and permit a vote by the U.S. Senate, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 400-17. Several radiologists and nuclear medicine specialists spoke to their concerns if the U.S. continues to rely on foreign sources for medical isotopes.

CMS, ONC kick off EHR incentives training program

“We’re beginning a revolution the way information is collected, managed, used and purposed for patients in the U.S. healthcare system,” said David Blumenthal, MD, chair of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, in opening remarks at an audioconference training session on meaningful use and EHR certification last week.

Radiology: Mammo CAD, double reading each have advantages; neither infallible

Single mammography reading with computer-aided detection (CAD) and double reading yielded similar cancer detection rates; however, each reading regimen helped radiologists detect cancers missed by the other, according to the CADET II study published in the August issue of Radiology.

CMIOs give meaningful use mixed reviews (Part Two in Two-Part Series)

In Part 1 of our closer look at the final rules for meaningful use and EHR certification standards, CMIO’s Jeff Byers spoke with David Blumenthal, MD, chair of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. In Part 2, CMIOs weigh in with mixed reviews.

Blumenthal exclusive: Meaningful use is ‘one-time offer’ (Part One of Two-Part Series)

As everyone gets a closer look at the final rule for meaningful use and EHR certification requirements, CMIO spoke with David Blumenthal, MD, chair of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC), and with CMIOs who will be charged with making it happen. In Part One of our two-part series, CMIO’s Jeff Byers spoke with Blumenthal about some of the ramifications of the final rule, and what's expected for Stage 2 and beyond.

Glaser Video: What CMIOs and CIOs should be discussing now

The framework for meaningful use is “something that had to be done and has been started intelligently,” John P. Glaser, PhD, vice president and CIO of Partners HealthCare System told CMIO. However, the challenges of becoming meaningful users and optimizing health information exchange will require unprecedented levels of communication within organizations and among healthcare systems, he said.