Siemens Healthcare to host first free Virtual Healthcare IT Conference on the use of EHR

On February 23, Siemens Healthcare kicks off its first in a series of free Virtual Healthcare IT Conferences. The conference, accessed at www.siemens.com/virtual-ARRA, will provide insights on achieving Meaningful Use of electronic health records, tied to the HITECH provision of President Barack Obama's American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and how health IT technology can help propel organizations to exceptional achievements in the delivery of healthcare services.

At the conference, visitors will hear leading industry experts and peers discuss a broad array of topics related to health IT meaningful use, including Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE), interoperability, system certification, privacy, security, and more. Attendees can also visit a virtual exhibit hall to hear more about how the Siemens health IT product portfolio can help providers achieve meaningful use, as well as stop by Siemens partners' booths to understand how these companies are helping the community address today's most pressing healthcare issues through the use of health IT.

"Given today's reduced travel budgets and our commitment to staying engaged with our customers every step of the way during their journey from meaningful use of electronic health records to exceptional use, we chose the convenience of an Internet-based conference to keep in lock-step with our customers on the key provisions of the legislation," said Janet Dillione, CEO, Health Services, Siemens Healthcare and co-keynote speaker for the ARRA virtual conference. "In this forum, participants will share insights on how policy, process design, and technology can be orchestrated to transform healthcare and create a more effective healthcare infrastructure."

The second keynote speaker, John Glaser, Ph.D., who serves a dual role as advisor to the Office of the National Coordinator and CIO of Partners Healthcare, will share his unique perspective on the impact ARRA-HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act) will have on healthcare providers as well as his vision for healthcare and the role IT will play in making that vision a reality.

The digital environment will be available online for 90 days and continually updated with new and relevant ARRA-related information as it becomes available. Conference attendees are encouraged to stop back to the conference website often for additional information.