On June 25, 2018, HIMSS and the Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems (AMDIS) collaborated on written comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) on the Patients Over Paperwork Initiative, specifically focused on ideas to help reduce the burdens placed on clinicians—as time and attention clinicians spend on burden resolution is time and attention diverted from patient care.
HIMSS and AMDIS share the belief that much of the work that clinicians face today is unnecessarily burdensome, where burden is defined as clinician activity that does not serve patient interests, does not improve quality or safety, or regardless of intent, is highly inefficient. Our organizations want to work with the Department of Health and Human Services to eliminate these unnecessary actions that occur in the course of clinical practice. Ultimately, HIMSS and AMDIS want clinicians to be able to focus their time on actions that make sense, such as caring for patients and delivering better outcomes. We want to help CMS and ONC reduce burden so that our members and other practitioners can deliver better care.
Additional key thoughts and recommendations from HIMSS and AMDIS on creating an environment wherein the burden on clinicians is minimized while promoting streamlined regulations, increased efficiencies, and an improved beneficiary experience include:
- Leverage Information and Technology, Now and in the Future
- Addressing Burden Can Result from and Contribute to a Learning Health System
- Build Momentum Toward Team-Based Care by Placing a Greater Emphasis on Reporting from the Entire Clinical Staff
- Proposed Changes in Quality Reporting and the Promoting Interoperability Programs are a Step in the Right Direction
- Reuse and Repurpose Data from Other Sources to Minimize Reporting Requirements
- Simplify E/M Coding and Documentation Requirement.