Text messaging is a promising mechanism for supporting pediatric obesity-related behavior change, and parent perspectives could assist in the design of such interventions, according to a study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

The majority of people are optimistic about healthcare innovation’s promise to improving healthcare, according to a global survey commissioned by Intel Corporation. Overall, respondents reported a willingness to participate in telehealth visits with their physicians and are open to using health sensors in their bodies and homes.

The Department of Health and Human Services plans to issue a $50 million funding opportunity announcement to help community health centers establish or expand behavioral health services for people living with mental illness, and drug and alcohol problems.

CommonWell Health Alliance, an interoperability-focused trade association, announced that it is rolling out its services in Chicago; Elkin and Henderson, N.C.; and Columbia, S.C. The program’s goal is connecting providers to exchange health data between disparate care settings, according to an announcement.

An automated prediction tool embedded in EHRs could assist organizations with implementing strategies designed to improve care and reduce readmissions, according to a study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.

Across the country, providers are using a variety of techniques to bend the curve on healthcare costs and outcomes. A panel at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ eHealth Summit shared their strategies on Dec. 6.

To help EHR users navigate health IT-related safety issues, Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT officials posted on the agency blog a guide and slide deck, developed by ECRI Institute.

Omnicell, Inc. (OMCL), today announced that Billings Clinic is the first hospital to integrate Omnicell and Cerner remote cabinet functionality. The interoperability between the Omnicell automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) and Cerner Millennium(®) EHR, via the CareAware iBus(®), has resulted in new efficiencies in the medication administration workflow. This collaboration has enabled nurses to issue, view availability and waste medications in a single view, saving nursing time and leading to increased patient safety.