by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Managing Editor

2011 was a big year for health IT. Farzad Mostashari took over as the country's fourth national coordinator for health IT. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT launched pilot projects in which health care providers and public health agencies began exchanging health information using specifications developed by the Direct Project, an "open government" initiative. The first graduates of federally funded health IT training programs hit the job market. CMS issued proposed rules designed to improve consumer access to laboratory testing results. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius gave health care providers who met Stage 1 meaningful use requirements in 2011 an additional year to comply with Stage 2 criteria. More than 100,000 primary care providers -- more than one-third of primary care providers nationwide -- signed up with the 62 federally designated regional extension centers to move forward with electronic health record adoption. Medicare and Medicaid each distributed nearly $1 billion in incentive payments during the first year of the EHR system doubled from 17% in 2008 to 34% in 2011.

However, much of the U.S. health care system still exists in a paper-based world. The majority of health care providers have not yet made the leap to EHRs, citing cost, workflow and privacy as major barriers. Some health care stakeholders have raised concern that the meaningful use incentive program requirements might be unachievable for many health care providers, while others argue that the criteria do not go far enough in promoting patient-centered care.

2012 is sure to be a crucial year in the country's shift toward health IT. We asked a variety of stakeholders -- including providers, vendors, patient advocates and government officials -- to weigh in on health IT progress, disappointments and hopes for 2012.

We asked each health IT expert to answer three questions about the most significant health IT development in 2011, the biggest disappointment in the past year and how the remaining barriers to widespread health IT adoption should be addressed in 2012.

Read the full story here.

Fort Wayne, IN and Neptune, N.J – December 5, 2011 – As the healthcare industry migrates to accountable care and medical home models, NoMoreClipboard (NMC), the leading personal health record provider, announced a collaborative agreement with iMPak Health, L.L.C. to develop IT solutions that combine easy-to-use electronic home healthcare journals and various health screening devices with clinical portals and personal health records. These end-to-end electronic solutions will securely and wirelessly transmit health information from a patient’s home to their health care providers and caregivers.

The iMPak Health journals and screening devices capture electronic data in a simple-to-use form factor designed to overcome intimidation barriers for technology-averse populations. These devices are ideal for the millions of elderly patients who are uncomfortable with computers, or for consumers who cannot afford expensive technology.

About the size of a smart phone or credit card, iMPak Health products are daily journal device cards that capture health-related data and transmit the information wirelessly via an NFC reader to mobile device applications. Data can then be shared securely with personal health records provided by NMC, enabling patients and family members to manage and share captured health and wellness data. Data also feeds a clinical portal developed by NMC that enables clinical staff to monitor subjective and objective information collected by patients. The clinical portal includes care plan-driven algorithms tied to particular conditions, and will identify patients requiring more intensive intervention. The clinical portal will also generate reminders, alerts and feedback to patients and their caregivers.

"Health systems are looking for complete end-to-end solutions to manage the health and wellness of their patients, and employers and are looking for applications to help them improve workforce health and wellness," said Sandra Elliott, Director of Consumer Technology and Service Development at Meridian Health, a not-for-profit health system in New Jersey that helped to create iMPak.

"A successful medical home or ACO is not just about one device or an information management platform – it is about the integration of these tools in new ways that can transform how health and wellness services are coordinated between the patient and healthcare providers."

NoMoreClipboard and iMPak are developing pulmonary solutions to address COPD and adult asthma, with expected launch in early 2012. Cardiovascular and health/wellness solutions are also planned for 2012.

"Our collaboration with iMPak is focused on helping health systems and employers improve clinical outcomes, reduce ER visits and hospital readmissions, and decrease total costs associated with managing chronic disease – hallmarks of a successful ACO or medical home program," said Jeff Donnell, President of NoMoreClipboard. "Meridian and iMPak are ideal partners, as Meridian is able to pilot and refine our combined solutions within their health system."

NoMoreClipboard’s proven success in deploying flexible, affordable, web-based healthcare IT applications combined with our low cost, consumer friendly devices will provide an easy-to-use and affordable option for providers, employers and patients alike,"" continues Sal Inciardi, Senior Vice President for Business Development, Meridian Health.