Morning Headlines 1/22/14

GE to Acquire API Healthcare

GE announces that it will acquire workforce management software vendor API Healthcare for an undisclosed sum. API Healthcare’s administrative solutions are used by more than 1,600 hospitals and staffing agencies in the U.S. The company’s time and attendance solution has been rated by Best in KLAS for the last 10 years.

Three EMRs lead the pack in the midsize-practice space

Epic continues to lead performance scores in the midsize physician practice market, with athenahealth and Greenway rounding out the top three.

Use and Characteristics of Electronic Health Record Systems Among Office-based Physician Practices: United States, 2001–2013

In 2013, 78 percent of office-based physicians used some form of EHR, but only 13 percent reported using systems that comply with Stage 2 Meaningful Use. In total, only 69 percent of respondents report that they intend to participate in MU.

‘Defect’ on VA benefits site shares vets’ personal details online

The VA’s online eBenefits program is suspected of exposing thousands of veterans personal information after an upgrade-related defect causes other veteran’s data to be erroneously presented to users when they logged into the system. Exposed data reportedly including past and current medical conditions, bank routing numbers, and social security numbers. The VA has shut the eBenefits system down pending an investigation, and will provide credit monitoring for affected users.