Health Information Technology (HIT)

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Health Information Technology (HIT)
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TMA's 2012 HIT Survey Report
Health information technology (HIT), such as electronic health records (EHRs) and health information exchanges (HIEs), have the potential to improve patient quality of care. TMA’s goal is to help ensure HIT has a positive impact on physicians, patients, and practices by enhancing quality of care, patient safety, and practice viability. The current survey is a benchmark of physician needs and experiences with EHRs. This survey is a follow-up to surveys conducted in 2009, 2007, and 2005.

If you have questions about selecting and implementing an EHR, workflow, EHR incentives, REC services, e-prescribing or general technology questions, contact us.

TMA HIT Helpline | (800) 880-5720 | HIT@texmed.org
What Do Texas Physicians Have to Say About EHRs?

Every two years, the Texas Medical Association (TMA) conducts a survey of Texas physicians to identify emerging issues, track the impact of practice and economic changes, assess physician priorities, and develop data to support TMA advocacy efforts.

2012 TMA HIT Survey Report

2012 TMA HIT Survey - Short Summary

2009 EHR Survey - Short Summary

2009 TMA Electronic Health Records Survey Results
TMA Technology Resources

Learn about various technology-related subjects using the following links to TMA resources.

EHRs

Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

EHR Product Evaluation Tool

EHR Incentive Program

EHR Incentive Program Resource Center

Regional Extension Centers (RECs)

Meaningful Use Toolkit

E-Prescribing

E-Prescribing

HIEs

Health Information Exchanges (HIEs)

Quality

Quality Improvement

Performance Improvement Programs
The Basics of HIT

As with any industry, once the basic terms are defined, their role and importance can be better understood. Most importantly, with understanding comes the ability to use that knowledge to better communicate and succeed in today's ever-changing e-healthcare marketplace.

e-Health Terms in Plain English

Electronic Medical Record vs. Electronic Health Record

E-Prescribing Journal Articles

Health Information Technology Terms

More Texas Physicians Turning to HIT (Action, Feb. 15, 2010)

Podcast TMA: Medical Records (Action, Aug. 1, 2008)

Practice e-Tips on Technology
E-Communication

It is recommended that guidelines be developed for appropriate use and management of e-mail communications with patients.

Guidelines for Electronic Communication with Patients (PDF) - TMLT

Consent for Electronic Communication with Patients (PDF) - TMLT

TMB's Complete Guidelines for Electronic Communications with Patients
Security

Protect your practice from health information leaks or breaches, and know what to do if they occur.

HIT Security Risk Assessment Questionnaire (ONC)

Online encryption guide launched by AMA

New Privacy Rules for Electronic Patient Records
Report Safety Concerns About Your EHR

Have you had issues with your electronic health record (EHR) or the vendor? Are you concerned your patients' safety may be affected? The EHR Support Center is designed to collect data related to EHR products and to document potential or identified patient safety and usability issues.

EHR Support Center

The Texas A&M Health Science Center Rural and Community Health Institute has partnered with the PDR Network to give physicians an opportunity to report EHR-related patient safety events. Both are accredited patient safety organizations that seek to improve the quality and safety of health care. Data are entered into a protected database and used for research to find weak points in health care delivery.

EHR issues that you may want to report include problems with product applications, vendor-related difficulties, or contractual issues that resulted in a less-than-optimal or undesired outcome. The tool also enables physicians to report features of EHRs that they feel are best practices. Collection of the data will help improve patient safety and quality as physicians adopt, implement, and use EHRs.
Education Opportunities

The following are a couple of CME programs related to EHRs and the incentive programs.

EMR Implementation Guide, 2nd Edition

Security Risk Assessments: Not Just a Meaningful Use Core Measure - Don't miss out on this April webinar presented by the Texas RECs

2013 Educational Webinar Series Calendar - Register now!
Attend webinars during your lunch hour to discuss such topics as meaningful use attestation, workflows, changes from Stage 1 to Stage 2, security risk assessments, audits, patient portals and much more.

Medscape's EHR Learning Center website - Earn CME credits by learning more about the Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Programs.
HIT Articles and E-Tips

Use the links below to access technology articles, or refer to the technology resource webpages for detailed information by subject.

Practice e-Tips on Technology

HIT Tools and Resources at Your Fingertips

mHealth: The Latest Vision for Medical Technology (PDF)

Personal Health Records: What Physicians Need to Know (PDF)

Is it Time for Your Practice to Adopt an EMR? (PDF)

EHR Buyer Beware: Issues to Consider When Contracting with EHR Vendors (PDF)

Stark Law Exemptions and Electronic Health Records (PDF)

Case Study: Change Is Good (PDF)

Case Study: The Networking Element (PDF)

Case Study: Small Town Success (PDF)

Case Study: Using Technology from Day One (PDF)

E-Prescribing Information (PDF) - Information for patients and physicians

2012 E-Prescribing Incentive Requirements (PDF)
Links to Other HIT Websites

Technology-related links

American Academy of Family Practitioner's Center for Health IT (AAFP)

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

American Medical Association - HIT (AMA)

eHealth Initiative (eHI)

Electronic Health Record (EHR) Safety Event Reporting System (PDRSecure™)

Products Certified to Meet Meaningful Use (ONC)

Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS)

Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)

Medscape's EHR Learning Center website

Rural Health Resource Center - A premier resource for Rural Health Information Technology

401 West 15th Street, Austin TX 78701 Phone (800) 880-1300 (512) 370-1300
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