Sept. 11-Oct. 27, 2009
Question:
Both privacy organizations and their online readers recently gave President Barack Obama's administration mixed grades on privacy protection. What grade would you give the Obama administration on healthcare privacy protection?
A: 7 votes (12.5%)
B: 16 votes (28.5%)
C: 13 votes (23.5%)
D: 4 votes (7%)
F: 16 votes (28.5%)
Total votes: 56
Aug. 21-Sept. 11, 2009
Question:
Despite having oversight responsibility of HIPAA privacy and security rules, HHS has not yet issued a single civil monetary penalty. Should HHS' Civil Rights Office levy monetary penalties to enforce HIPAA's privacy and security rules?
Yes: 17 votes (65%)
No: 9 votes (35%)
Total votes: 26
July 28-Aug. 21, 2009
Question:
The Veterans Affairs Department recently put 45 IT projects on hold pending an internal review, several of which are components of HealtheVet, VistA's replacement project. Should the long-delayed HealtheVet project as a whole be abandoned?
Yes: 18 votes (53%)
No: 5 votes (15%)
Too soon to tell: 11 votes (32%)
Total votes: 34
July 10-28, 2009
Question:
The CMS added 30-day readmission rates as an outcome measure on the Hospital Compare Web site. Do you think this new information will lead more people to use the site and improve performance among hospitals?
Yes: 11 votes (37%)
No: 19 votes (63%)
Total votes: 30
July 2-10, 2009
Question:
Is it appropriate for the government to release for public use the open-source CONNECT software it developed to link federal health IT systems with the proposed national health information network, even if it competes with private-sector HIT systems?
Yes: 71 votes (88%)
No: 3 votes (4%)
Too soon to tell: 7 votes (8%)
Total votes: 81
June 10-July 2, 2009
Question:
As the one-year anniversary of the merger of e-prescribing networks SureScripts and RxHub approaches,
Health IT Strategist is asking readers if the partnership has proven beneficial to clinicians.
Yes: 12 votes (38%)
No: 9 votes (28%)
Not enough time to tell: 11 votes (34%)
Total votes: 32
May 28-June 10, 2009
Question:
Should HHS delegate the leadership of health information technology regional extension centers to existing CMS-contracted quality-improvement organizations?
Yes: 591 votes (96%)
No: 27 votes (4%)
Total votes: 618
April 28-May 28, 2009
Question:
In order to receive health IT incentives through the stimulus act, providers must demonstrate "meaningful use," which groups like the NCVHS and HIMSS are working to define. Do you believe an HHS-approved definition will increase HIT adoption?
Yes: 29 votes (74%)
No: 10 vote (26%)
Total votes: 39
April 6-28, 2009
Question:
Should the secretary of HHS use the authority granted to her/him under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to use public funds to develop an electronic health-record system appropriate for public health clinic providers?
Yes: 19 votes (70%)
No: 8 vote (30%)
Total votes: 27
April 4-6, 2009
Question:
Should HHS in its rulemaking force Microsoft Corp., Google and other personal health-record providers to abide by the privacy and security provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996?
Yes: 17 votes (94%)
No: 1 vote (6%)
Total votes: 18
March 25-April 4, 2009
Question:
Health IT Strategist readers have proposed that the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology consider ease-of-use before certifying an EHR system. Do you believe CCHIT's EHR certification criteria should include a usability rating?
Yes: 66 votes (79%)
No: 6 votes (7%)
Usability can not be rated: 12 votes (14%)
Total votes: 84
Feb. 17-March 25, 2009
Question:
The stimulus package President Barack Obama signed last month includes billions of dollars for health IT initiatives. Do you think that spending will have a significant impact on encouraging hospitals and physicians to adopt more health IT?
Major impact: 44 votes (63%)
Minor impact: 21 votes (30%)
No impact: 5 votes (7%)
Total votes: 70
Dec. 1, 2008-Feb. 17, 2009
Question:
How has the current economic crisis affected your organization's spending on health information technology capital projects?
Less spending: 18 votes (69%)
No effect on spending: 8 votes (31%)
More spending: 0 votes (13%)
Total votes: 26
Nov. 5-Dec. 1, 2008
Question:
What is the likelihood of major healthcare reform legislation passing during Barack Obama's presidency?
Likely: 8 votes (53%)
Possible: 4 votes (27%)
Unlikely: 2 votes (13%)
Don't know: 1 vote (7%)
Total votes: 15
Sept. 24-Nov. 5, 2008
Question:
The current U.S. financial climate delayed the planned Allscripts/Misys merger. How do you believe the financial markets' crisis will further affect the healthcare information technology sector?
Short-term damage: 8 votes (38%)
Long-term damage: 3 votes (14%)
Both short- and long-term damage: 9 votes (43%)
Positive effects: 0 votes (0%)
Will have little effect: 1 vote (5%)
Total votes: 21
July 30-Sept. 24, 2008
Question:
Recent studies show that the majority of healthcare professionals are not using electronic health records despite numerous pilot programs created to stimulate growth. What do you consider to be the strongest motivator for EHR implementation?
CCHIT certification: 0 votes (0%)
Competition among nearby facilities: 0 votes (0%)
Federal incentive programs: 1 vote (7%)
Improved patient care and safety: 2 votes (13%)
Increased efficiency and reduced costs: 3 votes (20%)
Interoperability/quality information exchange: 2 votes (13%)
Local, state or federally sponsored grants: 2 votes (13%)
Patient demand for electronic information: 3 votes (20%)
Pending government/payer mandates: 1 vote (7%)
Stark/anti-kickback waivers: 1 vote (7%)
Total votes: 15
June 11-July 30, 2008
Question:
The National Alliance for Health Information Technology published its final recommendations for six recognized health IT terms. Will you adhere to the definitions?
All: 5 votes (45.5%)
Some: 4 votes (36.5%)
None: 2 votes (18%)
Total votes: 11
