HIMSS12 was a record-breaking event, attracting more than 37,000 attendees and 1,100 exhibitors. Speeches were made, demos were given and our favorite policymakers and social media stars spoke about all things health IT. Presenters shined the spotlight on ACOs, patient engagement, HIEs, ICD-10 and meaningful use, with the main highlight being the ability for industry professionals to connect with one another.

Healthcare IT News was there every step of the way, offering everything from breaking news to Twitter recaps, videos, blogs, slideshows and more. Here is our roundup of the six hottest stories from HIMSS12. 

1. Mostashari to media: ‘Chill’ on Stage 2 regs. On February 23, reporting live from HIMSS, Government Health IT Editor Tom Sullivan captured what may have been one of the best one-liners from the event. “People should just chill,” said National Coordinator Farzad Mostashri, MD, in response to the public’s anticipation to read the final Stage 2 ruling. “It’s at the federal register. They’re having formatting issues.” Mostashari addressed these concerns during his post-keynote press conference, where he also looked to themes such as sharing health data, interoperability and the future of health IT bipartisanship during the election year. "I refuse to speak of HIE as a noun. HIE is a verb," he said. 

2. HIMSS12 Twitter Recap: Biz Stone Keynote. During the second day of HIMSS, Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, addressed the crowd and offered key ways to refine communication throughout healthcare. Naturally, Social Media Producer Kelly Mehler took to Twitter to recap the best of Stone’s keynote. “[Twitter] is not a triumph of technology, but a triumph of humanity,” tweeted user @MDBuyline. “Twitter’s Biz Stone likens Twitter activity to that of a flock of birds, in that it can cause people to seem to act as one #himss12 #hcsmca,” tweeted user @cmaer. “Biz says to succeed you need to be willing to fail. Otherwise you’ll be sorry forever. ‘you can’t have it both ways.’ #HIMSS12,” tweeted Mehler on @HITNewsTweet. 

3.7 highlights from Mostashari’s keynote speech. On Thursday, Mostashari took to the stage for his keynote speech, in which he addressed the past few years' strides in health IT. Tremendous progress has been made, he said, and as an industry, we should be proud.  “Health IT is as healthy as every before, and innovative startups…are tapping to the opportunities and mission to use health IT to improve health and healthcare,” he said. But, he continued, the future is still filled with progress that needs to be made when it comes to rural practices, vendors and health-IT associated adverse events. “We’re on the right track to make meaningful use meaningful,” Mostashari said in his closing remarks. “I solute your daily work in our shared mission to place the patient and their interests at the center of everything we do.”

[See also: HIMSS12 Twitter recap: The untethered doctor.]

4. Video: Cam Deemer of DrFirst. On Wednesday, we looked to Cam Deemer from DrFirst to explain the ins and outs of e-prescribing. Deemer explained how the company was founded as a standalone, but now partners with more than 200 EHR vendors who built in DrFirst technology. What’s most important, Deemer said when asked about transitioning into paperless technology, is to find a company that works with you step by step. “Paperless is a big step, and a lot of practices have a hard time making that in one push,” he said. “We recommend if you’re feeling uncomfortable taking the steps to an EMR, take the first step and move to an e-prescribing workflow and adapt the practice to electronic prescribing.” Deemer added when done right, it’s an easy process, which allows you to gain incentive dollars up front and work with partners to find the best EMR for you. 

5. ACOs need 'more' than an EMR. Healthcare IT News Editorial Director Richard Pizzi wrote Monday that ACOs are undeniably the future of healthcare, and it's in providers' best interests to jump on the bandwagon sooner rather than later. "Attendees at the ACO Symposium at HIMSS12 appeared to recognize this, as Monday's pre-conference event was standing room only," Pizzi wrote. Symposium speakers went on to highlight the role of health IT as "the essential backbone" of ACOs, while praising the final ACO rules released last year by HHS. "ACOs will help enable patient engagement," said Premier Inc.'s Joe Damore. "That's the direction in which we're moving." 

[See also: 2012 HIMSS Leadership Survey: IT staffing shortage key barrier to meeting IT priorities.]

6. HIMSS12 in photos: Exhibit Hall highlights. On Thursday, Web Producer Jamie Thompson rounded up the best images from the Exhibit Hall, showcasing everything from a "Hangover" lookalike to Exhibit Hall souvenirs, which included small and squishy doctor dolls. "With [more than] 1,100 vendors showcasing their products, the HIMSS12 Exhibit Hall is a marvel," Thompson wrote. "It's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer size of the HIMSS12 show floor, but be comforted by the fact there's something for everyone." Looking to relive some of the most memorable visual moments from HIMSS12? Click through for pics of demos, contemporary art – and even the "Health IT Hero."

What was your biggest takeaway from HIMSS12?  What impressed you most? Comment below or tweet me @Michelle_writes