News Clips
Medsphere Introduces EHR Certification Courses with Launch of Training University
Increasing Demand for OpenVista Spurs Open Source Leader to Partner with maxIT Healthcare for Implementation Services
Medsphere Systems Corporation, the leading provider of open-source healthcare IT solutions, today announced the successful launch of Medsphere University. This specialized training and certification program is Medsphere’s initial foray into training collaborative business partners to implement OpenVista, the company’s flagship electronic health record (EHR) solution. Read More »
Kenneth W. Kizer and Peter J. Groen: W.Va. a Leader in Health Info
West Virginia has quietly become a national leader in the use of health information technology, particularly in the area of "open-source" electronic health record solutions that are used by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Indian Health Service. These high-value systems...have been adapted and are being used in a number of innovative ways to improve the health of West Virginians. Read More »
Transforming Health Care in West Virginia
Improving the health status of rural West Virginia residents requires a new approach to chronic care supported by information technology.
The Development and Evaluation of a PDA-based Method for Public Health Surveillance Data Collection in Developing Countries
EpiData and Epi Info are often used together by public health agencies around the world, particularly in developing countries, to meet their needs of low-cost public health data management; however, the current open source data management technology lacks a mobile component to meet the needs of mobile public health data collectors.
Midland Memorial Hospital Reduces Patient Deaths, Infection Rates Through Use of OpenVista Electronic Health Record
Study Shows Medsphere Solution Has Transformed Texas Hospital into Secure, Paper-lite Facility Through Improved Patient Care and Clinical Decision Support Read More »
Top South African Journals to Go Open Access
A new scheme aims to put African research on the map by providing free access to a range of the country's top academic journals. The South African Journal of Science (SAJS) will lead the way, becoming the first high-profile open access journal by the end of March in a pilot project lasting two years.
Open Access Papers Used More in Developing World
Making articles freely available online can widen the participation of developing world scientists in global science, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Chicago in the United States measured the extent to which making papers available on an open access basis affected how many times those papers were cited, and by whom.
India Moves to Protect Traditional Medicines From Foreign Patents
In the first step by a developing country to stop multinational companies patenting traditional remedies from local plants and animals, the Indian government has effectively licensed 200,000 local treatments as "public property" free for anyone to use but no one to sell as a "brand."
Are Health IT Designers, Testers and Purchasers Trying to Harm Patients?
In effect through superciliousness and complacency, they just might be, along with the people who approve EMR's, CPOE's and other clinical IT for sale, as well as those who actually purchase this IT for healthcare organizations. [6-part series]
Suicide Epidemic Among Veterans
They are the casualties of wars you don't often hear about - soldiers who die of self-inflicted wounds. Little is known about the true scope of suicides among those who have served in the military. Read More »
Group Urges Obama To Consider Open Source
A group of open source code practitioners has written a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to require wider adoption of open source code throughout the government. "We urge you to make it mandatory to consider the source of an application solution (open or closed) as part of the government's technology acquisition process, just as considering accessibility by the handicapped is required," wrote 15 leaders of open source projects and companies." Read More »
Medsphere Successfully Implements Electronic Medication Administration Solution in West Virginia State Facilities
Software Integrates Long-term Care Facilities with Outside Pharmacies, Improving Patient Care and Communications for Medical Staff
Medsphere Systems Corporation, the leading provider of Open Source healthcare IT solutions, today announced the successful implementation of Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) capability at all eight facilities in West Virginia's network of acute, psychiatric and long-term care hospitals. Read More »
Work on Stuff that Matters: First Principles
I spent a lot of last year urging people to work on stuff that matters. This led to many questions about what that "stuff" might be. I've been a bit reluctant to answer those questions, because the list is different for everyone. I thought I'd do better to start the new year with some ideas about how to think about this for yourself. Read More »
DSS, Inc., Announces Open Source Version of vxVistA EHR Framework, Joins Open Health Tools Foundation
Leading VistA developer release includes commercial enhancements for non-U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Providers Read More »
"Super Symptom Checker" - Do It Yourself Doctoring – Wish List
...Wow, it's been nearly 5 years since I first posted this "Super Symptom Checker". Here's a few more additions for 2013....Since emotions affect physical symptoms, I'd also like to add Emotional Stress and Pain as Vital Signs...