What's New

HIMSS07: HIMSS Can Help With Your Travel Arrangements

With just three weeks until the 2007 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition in New Orleans, HIMSS can help attendees who still need hotel rooms or must book a flight to the Crescent City. HIMSS is here to help you with travel arrangements and can help create an affordable package, so read on for more information.

Flights to New Orleans: HIMSS knows that airfare prices for those booking now can be expensive….and we are here to help. We’ve also learned that new flights have been added. If you haven’t booked your flight to New Orleans, let HIMSS know by calling 312.915.9273 or at 312-915-9214. HIMSS continues to work with the city and the airlines, so let us help you get to the city and to the conference. Contact Carlson Wagonlit Travel at 877.517.3038.

Hotel Rooms: Hotel rooms are still available...just contact Ambassadors, HIMSS’ official housing and travel bureau. HIMSS has contracted with numerous hotels to provide discounted room rates for attendees and exhibitors of the HIMSS07. All hotel reservations will be processed by Ambassadors. Just call 877.517.3038, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. EST. As every year at the conference, HIMSS will provide free shuttle bus transportation from all hotels to and from the convention center.

Public Safety in New Orleans: Despite the headlines, New Orleans still remains – experience-wise and statistically - a safe place to visit and live. New Orleans successfully and safely has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors for more than a year, including Mardi Gras; Jazz Fest; business meetings ranging from 10 people to 24,000; and major sporting events, such as the Sugar Bowl.

The New Orleans CVB and the hospitality community of New Orleans continue to work in partnership with the Mayor, New Orleans Police Department, city officials, citizens, and tourism and business leaders. The number one priority continues to be fixing gaps in the criminal justice system and implementing more aggressive community/neighborhood efforts.

HIMSS07: Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen Opens
Tuesday Sessions

As chair of the National Governor’s Association newly formed State Alliance for eHealth, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen will bring his perspective on health IT – at the state level - to HIMSS07 on Tuesday, Feb. 27. He is the 48th governor of the state. Governor Bredesen took control of TennCare, the state's once-troubled Medicaid-expansion program, and turned it into one of the most comprehensive state healthcare plans in the nation. He is also responsible for the Cover Tennessee initiative, which provides access to affordable healthcare for the severly ill and uninsured. Governor Bredesen will speak on Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Schueller Named HIMSS 2007 Advocate Of The Year

Shawna Schueller of the HIMSS Minnesota chapter has been named the 2007 HIMSS Advocate of the Year. Schueller is recognized for successfully attaining Presidential Level certification, the highest level of advocacy certification in the first six months of the new HIMSS Chapter Advocacy Certification Program. “Presidential Level” certification required that Schueller actively work to establish productive relationships with federal and state elected officials.

“We are delighted Shawna embraced the ideals of the Chapter Advocacy Certification Program,” said Emma Cartmell, chair of HIMSS Chapter Advocacy Liaison Roundtable (CALR). “She is most deserving of the award and a stellar example of the level of participation and service we need at the state and local levels of government.”

As a result of her efforts, the Minnesota Chapter is also certified as a Presidential Level chapter. Schueller, who was the only member of the CALR to obtain the 100 points necessary to achieve the Presidential Level, will be formally recognized at the 2007 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition in New Orleans. HIMSS Director of Federal Affairs Tom Leary announced the award during the Minnesota chapter meeting last week. Schueller will also receive complimentary registration to HIMSS07.

Why Interoperability Standards Aren’t Enough Anymore

One of the key premises of the national interoperability initiatives has been: if the industry selected appropriate standards, healthcare information systems could interoperate. Of course, selecting standards alone is not sufficient for interoperability because the industry has learned that another step is required: to unambiguously constrain the selected standards so that each is implemented in the “same” way. Thus in addition to the base standard, “standard constraints,” defining the methods and content to be used in implementing a standard must be in place. Visit HIMSS.org to access this month's issue of Standards Insight that provides a perspective on this emerging topic.

Tools & Resources

HIMSS Privacy and Security Toolkit—New Content, New Look

The HIMSS Privacy and Security Toolkit Work Group has just released new content and a new look for the HIMSS Privacy and Security Toolkit.

The Toolkit outlines general principles and provides best practice and examples of how healthcare providers can manage privacy and security. Major themes of the Toolkit identify key activities to integrate into the process of managing information privacy and security, including monitoring and adjusting to the changing laws, regulations and standards; developing, implementing and continuously updating privacy and security policies, procedures and practices; enhancing patient understanding of the organization's information privacy and security efforts; and institutionalizing responsibility for information privacy and security.

The new Toolkit version updates the existing information on privacy and security and present those existing articles of merit in an organized and accessible format. Each section includes an introduction of the topic at hand; the latest edition of pertinent guidelines or literature, case studies, sample policies and Internet sources for additional information. All articles are written by experts in the field, who are at the front lines of privacy and security issues.

The Toolkit will be the “go-to” source for Privacy and Security tools and new information on:

Privacy and Security Principles:

• Introduction

Network and Infrastructure Security:

• Security in Public Health Network
• Security in RHIOs
• Federal Information Security Management Act with enacting NIST guidelines and FIPS
• Network Certification and Accreditation: Case Study of the new Defense Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Program (DIACAP)

Case Studies:

• Security in the Social Security Administration: Automated Disability Claims System

Educating Patients:

• Privacy and Security in Personal Health Records: What patients need to know and ask

Basic Security:

• Security Primer: Introduction to Basic Security Concepts

National-Level Activities:

• CCHIT’s Approach to Assuring the Security of Electronic Health Records
• Health Information Technology Standards Panel

With new insights and up-to-date information in many areas, the Toolkit includes a timely discussion of some national-level initiatives from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). These initiatives include the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) and the Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP).

The new Toolkit also features an easy-to-use table of contents and drop down menus. A consolidated annotated bibliography, a list of reference Web sites and a glossary of terms also appears.

Most importantly, Toolkit content will now be updated quarterly in order to provide HIMSS members with the most up-to-date and timely content.

For more information, contact Lisa Gallagher, BSEE, CISM, HIMSS director of privacy and security, at lgallagher@himss.org.

Register For Complimentary Webinar From HIMSS Analytics

Thursday, Feb. 15
2 p.m. EST
Sponsored by QuadraMed

Join HIMSS Analytics on Feb. 15 for “Care-based Revenue Cycle Management: Integrating Clinical and Financial Data.” This complimentary webcast explores the new paradigm of care-based revenue cycle management (RCM) and why organizations need to embrace this new model. Using data from a recently conducted survey, HIMSS Analytics will provide insight and comments related to the results of this research. Register now for this one-hour session to see what healthcare organization executives had to say about:

• Key regulatory and market drivers impacting RCM strategies
• Strengths and weaknesses of current RCM processes
• Importance of integrating clinical data elements into the RCM process
• Current ability of organizations to measure and report against key clinical and performance indicators
• Next generation RCM considerations

Register for this event. You will receive specific participation information several days prior to the event.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Jennifer Horowitz via email or at 734.477.0856.

 

Five Questions

John Halamka, MD
CIO, Harvard Medical School
HITSP Chair

HITSP Interoperability Specifications: What’s in Store for the HIT Industry

The acceptance of the Healthcare Information Technology and Standards Panel’s (HITSP) Interoperability Specifications for electronic health records (EHRs), biosurveillance and consumer empowerment by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael Leavitt on Jan. 23 paves the way for enormous progress and opportunities for the healthcare IT (HIT) industry. HIMSS recently spoke with John Halamka, MD, CIO of Harvard Medical School and chair of HITSP, about these specifications and their impact on exchange of administrative and clinical data.

HIMSS: How will Secretary Leavitt’s acceptance and recommendation of version 1.2 of the HITSP Interoperability Specifications for federal agencies impact the HIT industry as a whole?

Dr. Halamka: A six-month period of implementation and refinement of implementation guidance is now underway, to be followed by a six-month period of implementation. Presuming any revisions necessary as a result of the implementation and testing are minimal or of a technical nature, version 2.0 of these interoperability specifications is expected to be recognized by HHS in December 2007. This means by January 2008, any new or upgraded federal health information system must be compliant with standards recommended by HITSP. Agencies administering or supporting health insurance programs and government contracts for purchasing healthcare will be directly affected.

HIMSS: What barriers could impede vendors from implementing these specifications?

Dr. Halamka: Clearly, we can’t rip and replace existing systems. New implementations, gradual conversion of existing systems and middleware translators from old systems to new standards will help software users adopt the new standards. The CCHIT-HITSP Joint Working Group will help set a certification schedule that recognizes the challenges of moving us from where we are to where we want to be.

HIMSS: What can we expect in the coming years as interoperability specifications are implemented?

Dr. Halamka: The implementation of interoperable data standards is a journey. Payors implemented HIPAA standards over four years and the result was millions of dollars in administrative savings. The same thing is going to happen on the clinical side. It will take two to three years of diligent work. Vendors, payers, providers and patients should recognize change will occur one step at a time, ensuring we do no harm to any stakeholder and protect patient privacy. In 2007, vendors will experiment with HITSP interoperability specifications. In 2008, commercial products will be released into the marketplace. By 2009, labs, pharmacies, hospitals and doctors’ offices will be exchanging data in a HITSP-compliant format.

HIMSS: What are the primary benefits of the acceptance and recommendation of HITSP specifications?

Dr. Halamka: A uniform set of standards will reduce the cost of exchanging data for everybody. Data quality will be better, patient care will improve and population outcomes will be easier to measure.

HIMSS: Please explain which one is easier, mountain climbing or establishing interoperability standards?

Dr. Halamka: I harmonize standards while climbing mountains. In the picture above from Yosemite last August, I'm at 13,000 feet with my BlackBerry addressing a tricky harmonization issue in the Consumer Empowerment Use Case.

For more information on HITSP and the interoperability specifications, visit www.himss.org/hitsp.

Meet Our Members

Laura Jantos, FHIMSS, is a principal at ECG Management Consultants Inc. and leads the company’s national healthcare information technology practice. She has more than 17 years of experience assisting healthcare organizations in planning for, selecting and implementing appropriate technologies—with particular expertise in electronic health records (EHRs). Before joining ECG in 1995, Ms. Jantos held positions with the Office of Biomedical Informatics at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Magee-Womens Hospital and Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

As a member of HIMSS since 1994, her involvement with the Society has been extensive. She served as president of the HIMSS Washington chapter from 2000 to 2002 and was director of the HIMSS Washington Chapter Program Committee from 1997 to 1998. Ms. Jantos now chairs the HIMSS Ambulatory Care Information Systems Steering Committee (AISSC). Ms. Jantos said AISSC’s labors are focused on increasing HIMSS’ level of service to the ambulatory environment.

“This is a huge charter and, as a result, AISSC is the broadest of all HIMSS’ committees—with the largest number of work groups and task forces. Our efforts have encompassed:

• initiating the DigitalOffice, which is HIMSS' most widely subscribed e-newsletter
• providing outreach and educational materials for EMR adoption and implementation
• evaluating and promoting emerging standards relevant to ambulatory care, such as the CCHIT (EHR ambulatory) criteria
• providing input for advocacy and public policy issues and principles from an ambulatory care perspective, such as the implications of the recent Stark Physician Self-Referral Exceptions and Anti-Kickback Safe Harbors for E-Prescribing and EHRs statute.

AISCC introduced two HIMSS task forces focusing on community health organizations and business systems integration. AISSC also has oversight over the HIMSS Katrina Phoenix Project, which endeavors to provide EHR technology to assist in rebuilding medical services in the Gulf Coast region.”

Additionally, Ms. Jantos will be facilitating a HIMSS07 roundtable discussion, “Tools for Ambulatory EHR,” Tuesday, Feb. 27, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Room 271, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Did You Know

Did you know that HIMSS was founded as the Hospital Management Systems Society—HMSS—in 1961 with 47 charter members of hospital management engineers and academicians? (Don’t miss the HIMSS history display at HIMSS Central during HIMSS07 in New Orleans, February 25-March 1.)

Calling All Members

Volunteer…HIMSS Committee Applications Open

Share your expertise, ideas and insights with other healthcare IT leaders. Join a HIMSS committee and make a difference in the future of healthcare IT.

HIMSS is currently seeking volunteer members to serve on committees for the 2007-2008 fiscal year. Interested members must submit electronically the application form through March 8 to serve on the following steering committees and committees:

• Advocacy and Public Policy
• AFEHCT Financial Systems
• Ambulatory Information Systems
• CPHIMS Technical
• Enterprise Information Systems
• Membership
• MS-HUG
• Personal Health Record
• Privacy & Security
• Patient Safety and Quality Outcomes
• Nursing Informatics

Applicants must provide contact information for themselves and three professional references, details about prior HIMSS and other leadership experience, and a brief essay stating why they would like to serve on a committee. Committee participation is open to all individual and corporate HIMSS members who are not serving in other leadership positions within the Society. The HIMSS Board of Directors chair-elect will appoint individuals to serve for two years, with the opportunity to serve an additional term on the recommendation of the committee chair, board liaison(s) and staff liaison. Contact Joan Flagg via e-mail or call at 734.477.0862 with any questions.

2007 CEO IT Achievement Award Nominations Open

The annual CEO IT Achievement Award recognizes one or more healthcare industry chief executive officers who demonstrate leadership and commitment to using information technology to advance their healthcare organization's strategic goals. Modern Healthcare and HIMSS will honor the 2007 CEO IT Achievement award recipients at a VIP breakfast event Tuesday, June 26 during the 2007 HIMSS Summit. Following the breakfast, Summit attendees will hear from award recipients themselves regarding the implementation of their successful IT programs. Nominate your CEO today!

Task Force Needs Your Consumer Organization Contacts

HIMSS is reaching out to non-profit consumer organizations in an effort to develop and execute a business plan that educates consumer organizations about the value of the personal health record (PHR). And, the task force needs help from HIMSS members. The PHR Steering Committee’s Consumer Organization Outreach Task Force is currently seeking HIMSS members who may have contacts at nationally based consumer organizations. The task force wants to talk with key contacts and gather information about the organization’s requirements to enable the adoption of the PHR for their members.  Members who can provide contact names of those in a top-level position within a nationally based consumer organization should contact task force member Beth Friedman.  Contact HIMSS Staff Liaison JoAnn W. Klinedinst, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, PMP with other questions.

Financial Systems Expertise Needed

HIMSS is currently seeking members interested in applying for the new HIMSS AFEHCT Financial Systems Steering Committee, which will be launched by July 1. This new steering committee will build upon the foundation established by the HMSS AFEHCT Advisory Council with focus on financial services, administrative transactions systems, related technologies, and emerging trends such as medical banking. The committee will also address the integration and interoperability of these systems with clinical systems and other e-commerce systems. This steering committee will engage the HIMSS membership community spanning various stakeholders including clearinghouses, software vendors, providers, health plans, financial institutions, and other e-commerce players, ultimately benefiting both our individual and corporate members.  Any individual or corporate complimentary member who is not already serving in a leadership capacity within the Society is welcome to apply.  Applications will be accepted until March 8. For more information, contact Joan Flagg via email or at 734.477.0862.

Save the Date

Mark Your Calendar For Feb. 15 HIMSS Webinar

Make learning easy and effective with the Feb. 15 webinar on interoperability for patient care. The webinar lasts for 60 minutes including a question-and-answer opportunity with the presenters. Registration includes one hook-up per organization. Participants receive an e-mail confirmation once the payment has been processed with call-in instructions and handouts sent via e-mail at least 24 hours before the session begins. The webinar qualifies for 1.2 contact hours toward CPHIMS recertification.
Not a HIMSS member?

Playing Together, the Reality of Interoperability for Patient Care
Feb. 13, 2007 @ 1 p.m. CST
Register now.

More Events

Feb. 25-March 1
2007 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition
Just three weeks left until HIMSS07 comes to New Orleans.  Join HIMSS at the conference for outstanding speakers, cutting-edge exhibits and the chance to learn from the leaders of health IT.

May 3 – Orlando, Fla.
May 10 – Boston, Mass.
Connecting Communities Regional Forums
Attend this one-day educational forum in either Orlando, Fla. or Boston, Mass. The forums bring together industry leaders to share their experience and knowledge on the development of regional health information organizations (RHIOs) and health information organizations (HIEs).

May 10-15
HIMSS AsiaPac 2007 Annual Conference & Exhibition
The agenda for HIMSS AsiaPac 2007 features keynotes and thought leader speakers, more than 40 education sessions, real-world case studies, a hands-on trade exhibit with interoperability demonstrations, networking forums, professional development opportunities and much more.

May 14
HIMSS Advocacy Day/Health IT Day on Capitol Hill
HIMSS Advocacy Day/Health IT Day on Capitol Hill brings healthcare IT advocates to Washington, DC, to ensure that health IT public policy issues continue to take center stage. Advocacy Day 2007 will be held on May 15.

May 14
National Health IT Week
National Health IT Week is the nation’s only fully collaborative annual forum where public and private sector organizations unite to foster widespread health IT adoption

Chapter Calendar

NoCal and SoCal Joint Chapter Luncheon at HIMSS07

Tuesday, Feb. 27
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Two Poydras St.

Come join your fellow California attendees at a luncheon event being held during HIMSS07. It's a great way to network with your peers, make local connections at the 2007 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition, and have an excellent lunch at a reasonable price right by the convention center.

Event attendance is limited to HIMSS07 attendees who reside in California and are Northern and Southern California HIMSS chapter members.

The event will include a featured speaker from the HIMSS national staff (to be announced).

Buffet lunch menu:
- Chicken and Andouille Gumbo
- Hilton Garden Salad with Assorted Dressing
- Tuna Nicoise Salad Bow Tie Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes
- Roulade of Baked Chicken with Cornbread Dressing
- Bronzed Crabcakes with Ravigote Sauce Spicy Crawfish Rice
- Cheese Platter
- Seasonal Vegetables
- Fresh Rolls and Butter
- Pecan Diamonds & Brownies
- Coffee, Tea, and Decaffeinated Coffee

Cost is $15, advance registration and payment required.

Register Online via this Link no later than Friday, February 23
Payment by VISA or Mastercard only.

www.nocalhimss.org
www.himss-socal.org

Visit the HIMSS Chapter calendar to find the chapter meeting in your area.