Among the people who benefit most from innovative online technologies are the disabled. The profoundly deaf can communicate as easily by email as the general population. People with mobility problems can without difficulty conference via Skype or other video service. But according to one estimate, only half of people with disabilities have adopted broadband. Read More »
The number of hospitals implementing intensive computerized record keeping and management has increased significantly in the last year. Health and Hospitals Network rates hospitals "based on progress in adoption, implementation and use of information technology." Most Wired Hospitals have moved further than hospitals overall toward computerization. Read More »
Broadband-based telemedicine can improve the quality of care and lower costs — particularly by the use of electronic health records (EHRs). Not only can these make records more accessible, but they can assure that patients in need can be closely and constantly monitored. Read More »
As the first Baby Boomers turn 65 this year, they join the 13 percent of Americans that age or older. And that cohort is growing. While communities struggle to find the funding and infrastructure to cope with the aging, one area is particularly at risk — rural America. Read More »
Electronic health records, social media, and mobile tools are providing a new line of defense in the fight against preventive disease. New technologies are making access to patient histories, support groups, and health resources more available than ever before. Read More »
While most people associate telemedicine with remote patient monitoring, videoconferencing, and health records, there is an exciting new use for broadband-based health care called "tele-mental health." Read More »
Investment in broadband positively drives economic development worldwide, according to a new report by the Broadband Commission for Digital Development. The report reviews nearly a hundred research reports and case studies on the economic effect of broadband Internet access, and concludes that the outcomes are overwhelmingly positive. Read More »
The federal government's Rural Health Information Technology Network announced a $12 million grant program to help physicians and hospitals in rural areas implement electronic health records (EHRs). Eligible applicants include Native American tribal governments and 501(3)(c) nonprofit organizations. Read More »
As more doctors and hospitals adopt electronic health records (EHR), federal incentive payments facilitate the switch to smarter health IT. The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocated $27 billion dollars in EHR incentives. Read More »
The Department of Defense (DoD) is preparing an implementation timeline for an electronic health care system for DoD and the Veterans Administration. Due to the Defense Secretary in May, the report will lay out milestones and plans. Read More »
