By Diana Olsen Friedman Earlier this week, I went to happy hour with a few friends. While a Monday happy hour is not the norm for me (not since college, anyway), we were celebrating the recent graduation of two of our friends from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, and their acceptance on ''Match Day'' to an outstanding Pediatrics ...

I'm always amazed by the various cell phone commercials that show off the many handy features other than voice communication. Music downloading, Web surfing, sports updates, text messaging, etc. They are all features that I never use, yet my consumer mind has been brainwashed enough to feel cheated if they are omitted. I basically use my cell ...

What's the status of ensuring positive patient identification (PPID) at hospitals across the nation? A feature article in the upcoming January 2008 print edition of ADVANCE offers some insight. (The issue will print and mail Jan. 9.) From experience in dealing directly with more than 20 percent of all hospitals in the United States, InfoLogix ...

A Democratic presidential candidate proposes the following three measures to improve adoption of electronic medical record systems, according to his/her official Web site: 1) Invest at least $1 billion per year in moving to electronic health record systems. 2) Provide grants to states to develop EMRs and other health IT systems. 3) Assist ...

It's November and for the health care IT community that means that registration notices for HIMSS are showing up in your inbox like clockwork. For my part, I'm eagerly anticipating the mid-winter trip to Orlando, where I'll step out of the convention center between sessions to feel the warm sun on my face (read: to quickly overheat in my black ...

A Case of Murder and EHRs Copyright 2007 by Peter J. Groen and Jaime Nasuti. Published with permission of the co-authors. Editor's note: This is the final chapter in this series of blog posts, completing the co-authors' short story. If you don't want to spoil the ending, please be sure to scroll back and read the progression of chapters from ...

A Case of Murder and EHRs Copyright 2007 by Peter J. Groen and Jaime Nasuti. Published with permission of the co-authors. CHAPTER TEN As Dr. Douglas was recovering from the unbelievable events that had unfolded just days before, he made a final detailed pass through Congressman Martin's electronic medical record as he prepared to discharge ...

A Case of Murder and EHRs Copyright 2007 by Peter J. Groen and Jaime Nasuti. Published with permission of the co-authors.  CHAPTER NINE The Secret Service agents suddenly had their hands full. Dr. Rose immediately denied any wrongdoing and went on the offensive when confronted about his unauthorized access to a patient’s medical ...

A Case of Murder and EHRs Copyright 2007 by Peter J. Groen and Jaime Nasuti. Published with permission of the co-authors. CHAPTER EIGHT Dr. Douglas, the cardiologist taking care of Congressman Martin, sat in a stupor in the chief of staff's office. What was going on? Dr. Rose was not his favorite colleague...but to be tampering with his ...

 A Case of Murder and EHRs Copyright 2007 by Peter J. Groen and Jaime Nasuti. Published with permission of the co-authors. CHAPTER SEVEN The warning message began flashing on Dirk's computer screen, a somewhat rare occurrence. Not too many high-profile public officials tend to be admitted to the VA Medical Center in Martinsburg, West ...