Michael Cassidy

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Two recent malpractice cases indicate the distinction between ordinary risk management processes and peer review issues. In Johnson v. Detroit Medical Center, a Michigan state court held that a physician’s credentialing file was protected by the confidentiality provisions of Michigan’s Peer Review Confidentiality Statute, and also protected the physician’s operative logs because the doctor/patient privilege…

Certification for Electronic Health Record ("EHR") Software

A final rule was issued by the Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology ("ONCHIT") to establish the permanent certification program for electronic health records.  The permanent certification program requires that organizations must first be accredited to test and certify health information technology; certification bodies authorized by…

The American College of Physicians has published a guide on understanding the Patient Care Medical Home (PCMH) model.  Briefly, PCMH is a team-based approach and a personal physician provides care throughout a patient’s lifetime to maximize health outcomes.  The PCMH team provides all of a patient’s health care needs or otherwise arranges care with other…

PA-SIIS

The Pennsylvania Statewide Immunization Information System ("PA-SIIS") is a web-based statewide immunization registry which collects vaccination history information.  PA-SIIS compiles immunization information from health care providers and creates a current and comprehensive immunization record.  PA-SIIS helps health care providers administer appropriate immunizations to their patients. 

For more information: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pa_statewide_immunization_information_system_%2528pa-siis%2529/14281.

PA-NEDSS

Pennsylvania’s version…

Ray v. Pinnacle Health Hospitals, Inc. is an interesting physician discrimination case, not because it presents new concepts, but more so because of the use of the hospital’s quality assurance data in the discovery and summary judgment process.

The Third Circuit is merely affirming the grant of summary judgment by the United States District…

Information is available about signing up for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs, as administered by CMS, at the CMS website. Under these programs certain incentive payments are available to eligible health care professionals and hospitals that can demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology.  Participation may begin as early as 2011. 

For more…

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