BOSTONReturning to the Medicine 2.0 Congress for the first time since delivering his first ever keynote address at the event in 2009, Gimme My Damn Data, e-patient Richard Davies (Dave) deBronkart, Jr., discussed the growing culture change of participatory medicine.

In response to a hepatitis C outbreak at Exeter Hospital in Exeter, N.H., resulting from alleged criminal behavior of a hospital employee, the New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services has requested broad access to the provider's medical record systems as part of its investigation. However, the hospital is hesitating to allow this access due to patient privacy laws.

The CMIO Leadership Forum, "Transforming Healthcare Through Evidence-based Medicine," includes a roster of highly acclaimed, dynamic speakers who will share their considerable expertise. Held Oct. 3-5 in Chicago, the CMIO Leadership Forum is designed to foster innovation in evidence-based medicine and promote sharing of evidence-based medicine best practices.

The revelation that the hospital chain HCA is being scrutinized by the U.S. Attorneys Office in Miami after allegations of overstenting in some hospitals in Florida may be prompting some medical directors and administrators to look into their oversight procedures. The tools may already be in place.

IT may become a valuable resource for tracking not only patient outcomes but also the consequences of the hospital readmissions reduction program.

In October, Medicare will begin tying payments to some of its performance measures. Hospitals that fare poorly on preventable readmissions for acute MI, heart failure and pneumonia may see reimbursement reduced by up to 1 percent in 2013. The penalty applies to all Medicare discharge payments during a fiscal year, and not just payments for preventable readmissions, making the financial loss potentially huge. Are you ready?

The successful deployment of Siemens syngo Dynamics at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital has prompted Methodist Hospital to adopt the technology throughout its system.

Varied health IT systems and larger studies may help with tracking and assessing the risk of off-label usage in cardiovascular pediatric patients.