» The second annual McKnight’s Excellence In Technology Awards program will accept applications through July 12. In all, 15 honors will be given to the highest-scoring providers. Awards will recognize efforts that improve care quality, resident dignity, resident-staff interaction, transitions and overall innovation. Judging will be conducted by an independent panel. There is no cost to enter. For more information, visit http://awards.mcknights.com.
» The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has set aside $1 billion in grants available in a second round of funding under the Affordable Care Act. These funds will be used to support innovative technology-related efforts designed to improve healthcare outcomes. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the funding on May 15. “Organizations from the public and private sectors throughout the country are finding creative solutions to our healthcare system challenges and these awards will continue to stimulate these ideas,” Sebelius said in a statement.
» The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology announced it will launch the Crowds Care for Cancer: Supporting Survivors Challenge. The apps challenge will be done in conjunction with the National Cancer Institute, as part of the Investing in Innovation program. The program seeks to facilitate the development of innovative information management tools and applications that help survivors manage their transition from specialty to primary care.
» A Research and Markets report indicates the IT applications market is growing at a robust pace. In fact, the firm predicts that the global market for these apps will continue at a 7% compounded annual rate through 2017. Increasing demand for clinical data technology and administrative solutions is helping the market grow, according to the report. The market was valued at $40.4 billion in 2012. It is expected to surpass $56 billion by 2017.
» Mobile devices could reduce outlays for healthcare by billions of dollars each year, according to two presenters at HealthBeat 2013, which was held recently in San Francisco.
From the July 01, 2013 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
