While an ambulatory EMR may help a practice reach financial incentives and streamline patient information, the initial rollout may be costly and negatively impact productivity.

Patient monitoring technology is evolving to enhance immediacy, accuracy and ease of access with an added dimension of intelligenceto predict, monitor and analyze patient events over timeand flexibilityto monitor patients from other areas in the unit and even the patients home.

The final meaningful use criteria for EHRs released in July by CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) scaled back the original interim final rule. The newer version with less stringent requirements gives cardiologists more of a chance to secure federal dollars for incentive payments to offset the cost of health IT adoption. But will current EMR technologies make the meaningful use cut?

In this month of trick or treating, we are reminded that cardiology practices and departments are continually searching for tricks to maintain or bolster their treats. While the slumping economy has been challenging, there are further challenges of EHR implementation and ICD-10 coding conversion deadlines.

IT-based programs can improve cardiovascular disease management and patient empowerment, but must be accompanied by supportive social and political environments and active patient and clinician engagement, according to an article published online Aug. 24 in PLoS Medicine.

The latest version of TrakCare, Intersystems' web-based healthcare information system, includes new capabilities for optimizing workflow, harnessing live data and minimizing adverse drug events, according to the Cambridge, Mass.-based company.

GE Healthcare has reportedly gained conditional permarket approval for its Centricity Practice Solution version 9.5 EMR technology by the Certification Commission for Health IT (CCHIT) as a CCHIT Certified 2011 Ambulatory EHR with additional certification for child health and cardiovascular medicine with advanced reporting.

The Center for Biomedical Informatics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has developed a new application for Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch to help doctors and nurses record and grade adverse events in clinical trials.