PACS vendors shared several key messages with HIMSS attendees last week. Many touted EMR integrations that allow users to tap into the functionality of both the enterprise electronic health record and image management solution without separate log-ins and allow radiologists and clinicians to follow the patient through the entire continuum of care.

Health IT is accelerating across American hospitals, but we still havea long way to go toward universal adoption. Sixty-eight percent of U.S.hospitals reported using electronic health records (EHRs) in 2006,according to a survey conducted by the American Hospital Association(AHA) in fall 2006.

Secretary Michael Leavitt of U.S. Department Health & HumanServices (HHS) warned that rising healthcare costs in this country areputting our nation in peril in his speech today at HIMSS 2007 in NewOrleans.

Former Secretary of State General Colin Powell gave a rousing speech toan energetic near-capacity crowd at the HIMSS 2007 conference in NewOrleans yesterday, focusing largely on the value ofleadership.

Organizations are planning for remaining operational not just soon after, but during a disaster.

Despite the continuing focus on the paperless department and healthcarefacility, there is still a significant need for laser imagers inhealthcare. Whether the printouts are for patients themselves,referring physicians, or even attorneys, facilities are gettingsignificant use from their workhorse printers.

HIMSS tackled the multimedia, image-enabled EMR implementation processduring Tuesday’s Enterprise Integration Strategies toward theImage-Enabled EHR educational session. Successful implementations hinge on close cooperation betweenradiology, cardiology and IT, said Paul Chang, MD, medical director,enterprise imaging at University of Chicago Medical Center in Chicago.

HIMSS attendees received an overview of current certification projectsand a sneak peak into future initiatives of Certification Commissionfor Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) during a Tuesday TownHall meeting.