It's National Health IT Week. Our nation stands on the threshold of dynamic improvements in healthcare. Great advances in health information technology (IT) and the possibility of a nationwide exchange of clinical information place true healthcare transformation within reach.

The South Garden Urban Farmers Market will run every Wednesday from June 27 to Oct. 3 (excluding July 4) from 5 to 7 p.m. Cooking demonstrations and tastings are also planned. Watch the Gifts of the Moment website for updates on what produce and activities will be available when. The Urban Farmers Market is at will, meaning donations are appreciated, but not required to take home the fruit, vegetables, or herbs grown at the learning center

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The most important thing you can do to help prevent colorectal cancer is to get a colonoscopy. Dr. Terry L. Baldwin, M.D. of the Illinois Gastroenterology Institute helped design Quest's Quality Colonoscopy public report.

More employers are moving to Consumer-Directed Health Plans (CDHPs), which are characterized by lower premiums, higher deductibles, and savings accounts to help with out-of-pocket expenses.

The goal is to save money. By shifting financial responsibility to the patient, proponents hope the money will be spent more wisely. This is often described as “having skin in the game”. Consumers who hold these types of plans are expected to be less passive about their care, insisting on quality and reasonable cost.

However, these consumers will find it difficult to make informed medical decisions when so much in healthcare is uncertain. 

Quest belongs to the Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement, a national leadership organization for more than 40 non-profit collaboratives. The recently released report Regional Health Improvement Collaboratives: Essential Elements for Successful Healthcare Reform(second edition) documents the movement.