HHS takes Hippocratic oath on health IT stimulus

The Health & Human Services Department will set up a panel of experts to identify and fix any "potentially harmful unintended consequences" of its push to get physicians and hospitals equipped with electronic health records over the next several years.

In announcing a contract to set up the group, HHS acknowledged the plan to offer providers financial incentives to adopt health IT was meant to "enormously improve the quality and efficiency of health." "But good intentions are often not enough," the notice said. "This contract honors the ancient injunction to physicians, 'First, do no harm.'" Providers are staring to consider how they will participate in the incentive programs set up by HHS's Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) to accelerate adoption of EHRs. The notice said it would be prudent for HHS to be on the lookout for problems that might crop in carrying out the plan.