Today, the open-source landscape is an expansive panoply of technologies including operating systems, middleware, end-user applications and utilities, as well as an integrated development platform taking the industry by storm. As deployments are beginning to gather steam, the technology is gaining advocates and some predict that open-source technology might be on the brink of achieving an IT industry phase change. Read all about it in Finding the Source (page 20).
Starting at different points on different architectures and no single business models, Regional Health Information Organizations focus on sharing different types of data through different systems including EMRs, claims processing, messaging and lab-results reporting. But if payers stand to gain the most benefit from RHIOs, why do hospitals seem to be stuck with the lion's share of the cost? Plus, a special look at what's afoot at the state level. Read Real Solutions for RHIO Problems, page 26.
Located on page 30, this first in a series of articles looks at the potential for improving patient safety at the point-of-care through IT systems including CPOE, EMRs, medication alerts-based systems, smart IV pumps and patient-harm monitors. What are the pioneer organizations doing? And what do top industry experts think needs to happen in order to improve patient safety in healthcare organizations?
In AHIC Sets the Table (page 17), our Washington Word contributing editor explains that body's initiatives for the coming year and beyond.
