> Former National Coordinator for Health Information Technology David Blumenthal, MD, has been named chairman of the Commonwealth Fund's Commission on a High Performance Health System. Blumenthal, also the Samuel O. Thier Professor of Medicine and Professor of Health Care Policy at Massachusetts General Hospital/Partners Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, succeeds James Mongan, MD, the founding chairman, who passed away in May. Announcement
> The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is extending by 30 days (to July 5) the public comment period for a proposed two-year, $425,000 study of Meaningful Use barriers impacting Medicaid providers. Federal Register notice
> San Francisco-based Practice Fusion has been awarded ambulatory certification as a Complete EHR by Drummond Group, an Office of the National Coordinator Authorized Testing and Certification Body. Practice Fusion has also launched new Meaningful Use resources to help physicians in small medical practices prepare for EHR incentives. Announcement
> Virtua, the largest healthcare system in Southern New Jersey, said it is offering a free "hybrid" online personal health record to consumers living in the three counties that it serves. Virtua will offer the PHRs from Princeton, N.J.-based Zweena. Article
> Health Sciences South Carolina, a collaborative of universities and delivery systems, is working with the Center for Information Technology Implementation Assistance in South Carolina--the state's regional extension center--to develop a "lab hub" to promote physician compliance with EHR Meaningful Use criteria. The collaborative will use health information exchange software from Halfpenny Technologies. Article
And Finally... Looking for a crunchy summer treat? Article