INHS head named to health information technology board
The leader of Inland Northwest Health Services in Spokane has been named to a newly formed agency aimed at developing and monitoring health-care information technology.
Thomas M. Fritz, INHS chief executive officer, will join the board of trustees for the Certification Commission for Health-care Information Technology.
CCHIT is an independent, nonprofit agency responsible for certifying new health information technology products. The commission was awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop, create prototypes for, and evaluate the certification criteria and inspection process for electronic health records and the networks through which they operate.
INHS is a nonprofit corporation sponsored by Deaconess Medical Center, Holy Family Hospital, Sacred Heart Medical Center and Valley Hospital and Medical Center in Spokane.
For more information, visit www.cchit.org
Too much flu vaccine in North Idaho
After scares of flu vaccine shortage in previous years, there’s now an excess of flu vaccine on hand in North Idaho, according to the Panhandle Health District.
After holding a month of flu clinics, the St. Maries office still has 400 doses of adult flu vaccine left, said Cynthia Taggart, spokeswoman for the health district.
One hundred doses were set aside for a flu clinic for homeless and other disadvantaged people in Coeur d’Alene, but only 13 people took advantage of the free shots during a two-day clinic, Taggart said.
Part of the reason may be increased competition for flu shot customers this year from large retailers such as Costco, Taggart said.
Another reason might be that although flu vaccines are plentiful this year, the supply has been erratic.
“The people who want the flu shots first, the ones who stand in line, they went other places,” Taggart said.
Although no more flu clinics are scheduled in St. Maries, people can stop by the office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays for shots. Cost is $22 for adults. Medicare and Medicaid are accepted. Call (208) 245-4556 for information.
The health office in Hayden also has flu vaccine available. Call (208) 415-5100 for information.
Nursing professor joins Academy of Nursing
Michael J. Rice, a professor at Washington State University’s Intercollegiate College of Nursing, has been inducted into the American Academy of Nursing.
Rice was nominated for the post by two current academy fellows and was selected by a 15-member committee that reviewed his achievements in nursing. Rice joined 54 other nurse leaders during ceremonies in Miami, Fla.
Rice has been a professor and nurse practitioner in the program since 1989 and is co-director of the doctoral program. He holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing and a doctorate in clinical nursing research.
Rice provides national and international consultation on technology in health care for Spyglass, a market intelligence firm. A program he created, the Medically in Need in Rural Area project, is an award-winning model for rural psychiatric distance education.