On November 14th, HRSA announced that the Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) will fund a cooperative agreement to support the Rural Assistance Center (RAC) for an estimated $2,100,000. The notice “Rural Assistance Center for ORHP Cooperative Agreement” (HRSA-15-065) describes how ORHP will work collaboratively with the RAC to prioritize key issues and develop information resources to share with callers and web users. (more…)
Addressing Barriers to Using EHRs
According to John Windle, MD Professor and Chief of Cardiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) www.unmc.edu, “The design of EHRs are not always meeting the needs of physicians. Since there are 1.2 billion clinic visits a year in the U.S., this means that there is a staggering loss of 40 million hours of physician productivity.” (more…)
VA Issues RFP for Scheduling System
On November 21st, the Veterans Administration issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new Medical Appointment Scheduling System (MASS) to replace the VA system in use since 1985. The new system will provide schedulers with state-of-the-art management-based scheduling software. Originally, the VA released a draft “Performance Work Statement” and then used the feedback from industry to refine the requirements included in the final RFP. (more…)
DLT Awards Grants for $20.4 Million
On National Rural Health Day, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program has just awarded $20.4 million in FY 2014 grants. The grants provide access to medical services, improve educational opportunities, and supports Native American communities. (more…)
CDC Director Speaks at Event
“Microbes have no respect for borders but today we can detect not only Ebola but other disease threats early if resources are available to meet the needs of the global community,” according to Thomas Frieden, MD Director of the CDC. He was speaking at Aspen Institute’s Public Health Grand Rounds series www.aspeninstitute.org held in Washington D.C on November 17th. (more…)
Partners to Develop Medical Devices
According to the Department of Commerce, the U.S medical device industry is expected to grow nearly 21 percent to $133 billion by 2016. Collaborations have led to record advances in neuro-stimulators, stent technologies, biomarkers, robotic assistance, and electronic device implants. (more…)
Caring for Older Adults in the ED
Yale New Haven Hospital System’s Bridgeport Hospital www.bridgeporthospital.org located in Connecticut has established a Geriatric Emergency Medicine Service called GEMS www.bridgeporthospital.org/geriatrics/gems/default.aspx in the hospital. (more…)