> University Hospitals in Ohio is rolling out a $2.5 million upgrade to its electronic records system that offers some features, including a hyperlink that, with the click of a mouse, will educate patients about their maladies. The new portal, a password-protected Web site launched in conjunction with First Consulting Group, will connect more than 7,000 clinicians affiliated with the region's second-largest health system. Article
> The quasi-governmental U.S. body charged with certifying health information technology announced two new certifications last week: iMedica Patient Relationship Manager 2005, version 5.1, by iMedica Corporation and Praxis Electronic Medical Records, version 3.4, by INFOR-MED Corporation. The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology, a panel contracted by the federal government to apply standards to health IT products, also finalized approval for two products that had already been granted conditional certification. CCHIT certified 17 ambulatory EHR vendors last month. Article
> Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt bragged last week that the new $25 million Healthcare Technology Fund in the fiscal year 2007 budget will provide funding for a new, innovative electronic health record program in addition to other projects that it will fund through the course of the year. Over 700 Missouri physicians have enrolled in the program. Article
> Saint Clare's Hospital, located in Weston, Wis., today announced that it plans to enhance patient safety by installing MEDHOST's full-suite Emergency Department Information System (EDIS). Saint Clare's, a Ministry Health Care hospital, chose MEDHOST to automate its Emergency Department. Release
> Two of the nine 2006 Pioneer Awards given out by the Government Solutions Center went to Defense Department offices that have developed programs to improve medical records. The Pioneer Awards, now in their eighth year, honor federal, state and local agencies for innovations. Article
And Finally... Virginia Governor launches health IT council. Article