Today we're publishing two issues of FierceHealthIT. In this special edition, we preview next week's Health Information and Management Systems Society's annual conference in New Orleans--the big daddy of all things health IT.
We are well-aware that your inboxes are loaded--I know mine is--but I hope you'll enjoy and find value in both editions of FierceHealthIT today, whether you're attending the show or not.
From exclusive interviews to a round-up of news and blog posts about the conference, here's what you'll find in this issue:
The state of interoperability: Always a hot topic at HIMSS, which each year includes an interactive "interoperability showcase," interoperability is poised take a leap forward this year, with a rumored deal between two EMR vendor giants. Check FierceHealthIT senior editor Dan Bowman's article to read more about the interoperability news and sessions planned--and expected--at HIMSS13.
The future of medicine: This special edition also features part two of Bowman's exclusive interview with cardiologist Eric Topol, a professor of genomics at The Scripps Research Institute in San Diego who will deliver one of keynotes at the event. In the interview, he discusses the future of hospitals--including the concept of "unplugged hospitals"--as well as social media and accountability in healthcare.
(Be sure to check out part one of the Q&A, in which Topol talks about the importance of using digital tools, and gave his take on the progress of genome sequencing.)
The power of predictive analytics: You'll also find in this issue my interview with Lac Tran, CIO of Rush University Medical Center, who discusses how predictive analytics can improve outcomes and throughput in the emergency department. Rush's Chief Medical Officer, Julio Silva, M.D., will talk about Rush's programs and share results at an executive breakfast panel discussion, on Wed. March 6.
Silva will be joined on the panel by Tina Buop, CIO at La Clinica de la Raza, Benjamin Horne, Ph.D., director of cardiovascular and genetic epidemiology at Intermountain Medical Center, Matt Siegel, vice president, strategy & corporate development, Verisk Health and Kaveh Safavi, M.D., managing director of Accenture Health Practice-North America.
Co-hosted by FierceHealthIT and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives, the panel will focus on using predictive analytics to improve care and efficiencies. (Pre-registration is required, so be sure to sign up today.)
The politics of health IT: With President Bill Clinton as the opening keynote, the HIMSS stage is set for news about government programs, policies and regulation of health IT. Or is it? In fact, the regulatory landscape is quiet this year compared to past years, when attendees were expecting--and got--big announcements about Meaningful Use, for example.
Watch for FierceHealthIT coverage of the show--we'll be posting on our site and tweeting from @Gienna and @FierceHealthIT. And the week after HIMSS, look for another special issue, this time wrapping up the news and activity that comes out of HIMSS13. - Gienna