Düsseldorf, Germany (October 17, 2012) – HIMSS, the cause-based, not-for-profit healthcare association focused on improving healthcare with the best use of information technology and management systems, , will be involved with MEDICA for the first time this year. In collaboration with BITKOM (Federal Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media), HIMSS will focus on the strategic importance of information technology in the healthcare arena.
“As the world’s leading forum for medicine, MEDICA is the ideal platform for showcasing the use of information technology in healthcare from a strategic perspective. Although every hospital and pharmacy, and almost every doctor with their own practice, uses IT systems, there are still deficiencies in terms of networking. Isolated IT systems are uneconomical and quality is compromised by having to process the same patient data several times,” says Dr. Pablo Mentzinis, Head of Department Public Sector, BITKOM .
“Bringing together recognized leaders at MEDICA, during the HIMSS and BITKOM podium discussion and throughout the conference, supports our ongoing cause to improve healthcare delivery with the best use of IT, a global issue that affects all of us. Identifying and implementing effective IT solutions demands engagement and involvement of all stakeholders, so that we continue to work together to ensure patients receive quality and consistent care no matter where it is delivered,” says H. Stephen Lieber, CAE, HIMSS President/CEO.”
The electronic health insurance card – for medical insurance companies or patients?
The highlight of the program devised by HIMSS and BITKOM is the podium discussions on the future of the Electronic Health Card( Nov 15, 2012 from 11:45 am). Participants are:
- Ulrike Flach, Parliamentary State Secretary, German Federal Ministry of Health;
- Prof. Dr. Arno Elmer, Managing Director gematik – Gesellschaft für Telematikanwendungen der Gesundheitskarte mbH;
- Dr. Axel Wehmeier, Senior Vice President, Strategic Market Healthcare at Deutsche Telekom and Head of the eHealth Group within BITKOM; and
- Rainer Höfer, Head of IT/Telematik, Association of National Public Healthcare Insurances.
The future is digital: successful networking projects in healthcare
“German hospitals invest on average 1.4% of their budget in IT – much less than hospitals in other European countries. To get the market for healthIT moving, we need to inform as many people as possible in the healthcare sector about successful projects and initiatives in this area, provide tangible evidence of the benefits using data and promote the use of IT based on user and patient-driven strategies,” says Armin Scheuer, Head of HIMSS Media in Europe.
In the run-up to the podium discussion, representatives of German medical networks will therefore introduce their projects. One such representative is Henning Schneider, CIO of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, the first hospital in Europe to achieve the top rating on HIMSS Analytics’ Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM). Further presentations will address the networking of medical staff in rural areas, the card-based infrastructure of Zahnärzte Online, the German-wide networking of trauma surgeons and the stroke telemedicine network. This cross section of regional and national projects will be presented on 15.11.2012 from 10:30am.
Dialog with the USA: HIMSS BizTalk
The English-language component of the HIMSS program at MEDICA will focus on the challenges and opportunities facing the European eHealth market in the context of current developments in the USA. In association with the U.S. Commercial Service, the question of whether the US government’s “meaningful use initiative” can be used as a template for Europe will be addressed. Introduced in 2009, the initiative financially rewards the proven use of electronic patient records and related technologies. HIMSS BizTalk will take place on 16 November, 2012, from 2pm. At the same time, HIMSS representatives will judge innovative eHealth apps at the AppCircus, held as part of the MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM.
HIMSS events are part of the MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM – the German-language program, in collaboration with BITKOM, on 15 Nov 2012 from 10:30am to 1pm; the English-language program, in association with the U.S. Commercial Service, on 16 Nov. 2012 from 2-4pm.
For the full program of HIMSS events visit www.himss.eu/de/medica.
About HIMSS
HIMSS is a cause-based, not-for-profit organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. Founded 52 years ago, HIMSS and its related organizations are headquartered in Chicago with additional offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. HIMSS represents nearly 50,000 individual members, of which more than two thirds work in healthcare provider, governmental and not-for-profit organizations. HIMSS also includes over 570 corporate membersand more than 225 not-for-profit partner organizations that share our mission of transforming healthcare through the effective use of information technology and management systems. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare practices and public policy through its content expertise, professional development, research initiatives, and media vehicles designed to promote information and management systems’ contributions to improving the quality, safety, access, and cost-effectiveness of patient care. To learn more about HIMSS and to find out how to join us and our members in advancing our cause, please visit our website at www.himss.org.
