Physicians are all about smartphones, embracing them en masse. Adoption rates hover anywhere from 72 percent (Manhattan Research, Taking the Pulse, May 2010) to 94 percent (Spyglass Consulting Group, Point of Care Communications for Physicians, July 2010). The numbers, however, dont tell the full story, because adoption does not necessarily equate to robust clinical use. At this stage, there are a few killer apps, but true integration into the clinical practice of medicine and the meat of clinical workflow, a.k.a. the EHR, remains a work in progress.

Two million neurons die per every minute that a stroke goes untreated, making rapid diagnosis and treatment crucial for the best outcomes. However, 45 percent of Americans live more than 60 minutes away from a primary stroke center. Enter telemedicine: telestroke networks have sprung up across the U.S., and are rapidly expanding, delivering revenue gains and improving patient outcomes.

Following the U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services (HHS) issuance of the final rule Oct. 20 for establishing accountable care organizations (ACOs), the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) has outlined its criticisms of the initiative in a statement released the same day.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) has added the position of principal deputy in an effort to to more effectively meet the mission outlined by the Health IT for Economic and Clinical Health Act, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 [ARRA].

Barco, a healthcare imaging technology company based in Kortrijk, Belgium, has launched Coronis Fusion 4MP DL, a 30-inch diagnostic color display.

The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) is seeking feedback on accreditation criteria in several of its programs. The nonprofit standards-development organization and accrediting body opened itself to opinions, comments and suggestions in a Sept. 26 statement that said the window for stakeholders and other interested parties to weigh in will close Nov. 26.

GNS Healthcare of Cambridge, Mass., will collaborate with David W. Bates, MD, MSc, and the Brigham and Womens Hospital (BWH), a teaching hospital affiliated with the Harvard Medical School in Boston, to predict adverse drug events (ADEs) and hospital readmissions for patients admitted with congestive heart failure.

The Sage Group has reached a definitive agreement to sell Sage Software Healthcare, its subsidiary offering practice management and EHR technologies to U.S. physician practices, to Vista Equity Partners for cash proceeds totaling 205 million ($320 million U.S.).