A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has warned that the Department of Health & Human Services has no comprehensive
strategy for ensuring the security of electronic medical records. The report highlighted a number of deficiencies in the government's
approach to such records, including uncertainties regarding the extent of federal privacy protection requirements, unresolved
issues introduced by varying state privacy laws, and disagreement over interpretations of HIPAA.
EHNAC offers e-prescribing accreditation
The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) has issued its first accreditation to RxHub. EHNAC accreditation
is based on transmission timeliness for both electronic and fax e-prescribing transactions, timeliness of transaction processing,
compliance with industry standards, and security and privacy for new prescriptions and renewals. In Maryland and New Jersey,
EHNAC accreditation is required of any entity processing healthcare transactions on behalf of healthcare organizations in
those states.
Bar codes get smallMedi-Dose Inc./EPS Inc. has added 2-D multi-part bar- code capabilities to its MILT software package. These additions allow
users to combine NDCs, lot numbers, expiration dates, and other key data on LiquiDose and Mini LiquiDose labels. MILT software
can interpret bar codes from medication manufacturers and print them directly on unit-dose packaging, minimizing the potential
for medication error and ensuring accuracy. For more information, visit http://www.medidose.com/.
Parata acquires self-service player
The self-service market is certainly heating up. Parata Systems has acquired Amistar and its Distributed Delivery Networks
Corp. subsidiary for cash and other considerations. Coming less than a year after Parata acquired the Automated Prescription
Systems (APS) business unit of McKesson, the deal strengthens Parata's position in self-service kiosk technology. Where state
regulations allow, self-service kiosks enable customers to pick up their prescriptions at secure locations, even when the
pharmacy is closed.
Cognitive offers new label printer
C/Rx thermal prescription label maker
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Cognitive Solutions has released a new C/Rx thermal prescription label printer. Available in 2-in., 4-in., and 300 dpi models,
the printer is specifically designed for pharmacy operation. It does not require toner or dual label/document forms, and it
saves waste by printing labels on demand. The printer can also print consumer medication information. For more information,
contact Cognitive Solutions at http://www.cognitive.com/.
Automating preauthorization
Healthation released an automated real-time pharmacy preauthorization solution for healthcare payers and PBMs. Utilizing Web
services architecture, the solution integrates with a payer's medical and pharmacy systems to auto-adjudicate preauthorization
requests. The system uses user-defined eligibility, benefit, clinical step therapy, and workflow rules. Go to www.healthation.
com for additional information.
Tenn. Medicare gets monitoring program
Nearly 300 participants in Tennessee's Medicare Health Support program with diabetes and hyper-tension will be offered ADT's
WellHealth monitoring solution, which employs an in-home digital device that alerts nurses to participant medication adherence.
Participants will receive InforMedix Med-eMonitors, which are small portable electronic devices. At scheduled intervals, participants
will be instructed by the device to take individual medications, including dosage and educational information, and asked to
confirm whether they have taken their prescribed medication. In addition, participants will be asked to answer a series of
health-related questions about their blood pressure, glucose levels, and potential signs of impending stroke. Trained professionals
at ADT's Customer Monitoring Centers will monitor their responses.
Resources: 
Drug Topics archives are now available on ModernMedicine.com, a new online resource designed to meet the evolving needs of physicians.