| INTEROPERABILITY INBOX
|
EHR interoperability should be ONC’s priority, vendors say
Electronic health record (EHR) vendors and other healthcare IT stakeholders contested and criticized new certification rules proposed by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) for 2015 in a Health IT Policy Committee hearing on May 7.
Information Exchange Shifting to Meet Needs of Care Collaboratives
A big part of the move to more collaborative care involves more consistent and thorough exchange of information among providers, as well as between providers and patients. It's not surprising, then, that the concept and development of health information exchanges is beginning to evolve to meet the needs of new care collaboratives.
Interoperability Beyond Doom or Gloom
A new ONC Data Brief shows that health information exchange (HIE) is on the rise. Despite the often-heard doom and gloom about interoperability, the reality of hospitals engaging in HIE appears to be brighter. HIE among U.S. non-federal acute care hospitals has been trending upward since 2008, in fact, and the practice of HIE (the verb) increased 51 percent from 2008 to 2013.
Lessons from the Cincinnati Beacon Community Project
While the Cincinnati Beacon Community project has shown results in improved care, it didn't achieve all of its aims, according to an article published this month in Health Affairs. And the process wasn't always smooth. The ambitious agenda required more time for planning, training and implementation than the team expected. Although hospital executives said they supported community-wide data sharing when the grant was written, privacy officers ultimately threw up red flags, taking 10 months – a third of the project's timeline – to get everyone on board.
Will Google dominate the future of medical technology?
In January, Google announced that it is testing a prototype of its "smart contact lens," which would enable diabetics to monitor their blood sugar just by wearing the lens. Despite its innovative efforts, Google also has struggled with health information privacy issues, which prompted development of more stringent policies regarding confidential information.
|
| Showcase Connection
|
Perspective on Interoperability and Showcase at HIMSS14
This is the second half of a two-part story on current healthcare trends and how their development will affect the future of health IT. Part One examined how incentive payments have encouraged the use of technology in patient care. Here the challenges of analytics initiatives and healthcare interoperability are explained from the perspectives of vendors and providers.
Showcase Demonstration at Government Health IT Conference in June
The Government Health IT Conference & Exhibition is scheduled for June 17-18, 2014. The purpose of this event is to provide federal, state and local government-affiliated professionals with world-class education, solutions and engagement in the field of information technology (IT) in healthcare. As part of this educational event, the HIMSS Interoperability Showcase will be held on Tuesday, June 17. To learn more about the Government Health IT Interoperability Showcase, email Elizabeth Peters.
|
| IHE JUNCTION
|
IHE World Summit Comes to Chicago
Join IHE International for the second annual IHE World Summit, a conference bringing together stakeholders in health IT with thought leaders on standards, interoperability and electronic health records from around the world. The Summit will take place at the Hilton Chicago, Sept. 11-13, 2014 (preceding the HL7 Plenary and Working Group Meeting). Events will include keynote addresses by health IT leaders, panel sessions for developers, implementers and users of health IT, a technical track and a social event at Buddy Guy's Legends blues club! The schedule of events and registration are available now.
IHE International Educational Webinar: Introduction to the IHE International Public Comment & Call for Proposals Process
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. CT
Join the IHE International’s IT Infrastructure, Patient Care Coordination, and Quality Research & Public Health domains for an overview on the IHE International Public Comment and Call for proposal processes. Learn how to submit your very own Profile proposal in the upcoming 2015 Call for Proposal Cycle! This is a FREE event open to all – membership in IHE International is not required. Register by June 9!
|
| HIE Highway
|
HIMSS/NACCHO HIE Toolkit for Public Health
HIMSS and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) have collaborated to produce a new resource for public health departments and HIE service providers. The Toolkit offers definitions, FAQs, downloadable tools and other resources to facilitate the integration of public health and HIE services.
HIE at a Crossroads
In the five years since the HITECH Act brought funding for public health information exchanges, the technology and the organizations that offer it have seen a varied evolution. Today, HIE as a whole is at a crossroads, with much of the public funding running out, but health data exchange services are more important than ever.
Health Information Exchange: Moving Forward or Stuck in Neutral?
Recent reports say that the global health information exchange (HIE) market is projected to reach $878 million in 2018, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 9.5 percent from 2013. This is due to factors such as incentives by the U.S. federal government, improvements in patient care and safety and reduction in healthcare costs. However, issues such as high implementation costs, slow returns on investment and interoperability problems are hampering the growth of this market.
How HIEs can Improve Disaster Planning
Since the dramatic shift to electronic health records in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has explored the role health information exchange (HIE) could play in disaster preparedness and response, according to a Health IT Buzz blog post.
Providers Adjust to OIG Reversal on HIE Referrals
Health information exchange remains a challenge for providers and vendors alike. In 2011, athenahealth addressed the issue by offering a HIE service that connected physicians to labs and other service partners. At the time, this arrangement passed muster with the federal Office of Inspector General (OIG). But in April, the OIG reversed itself, arguing that the arrangement constitutes a potential violation of the anti-kickback laws governing the healthcare industry.
|
| Policy Pipeline
|
Attend the 2015 Government Health IT Conference & Exhibition
Join your colleagues for this year's Government Health IT Conference & Exhibition in Washington, DC, June 17-18. This year’s theme is "Emerging Care and Reimbursement Models." Find the knowledge and network that empowers you to implement solutions that reduce costs while still delivering quality patient care.
HIMSS Regulatory Chart Tracks Health IT Regulations
The HIMSS regulatory chart offers an at-a-glance snapshot of all health IT-related regulation HIMSS is following in 2014. The chart includes links to proposed and final regulations and to HIMSS comments and position statements, along with anticipated timelines.
CMS Issues 2015 IPPS Proposed Rule
On April 30, 2014, CMS issued a revision to the Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment systems (IPPS) rule that would update FY15 Medicare payment policies and rates for inpatient stays at general acute care and long-term care hospitals (LTCHs). The proposed rule was officially published in the Federal Register on May 15, and comments are due June 30, 2014.
FDASIA Public Workshop Focuses on Gathering Ideas on Risk-Based Regulatory Framework for Health IT
From May 13-15, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lead a public workshop to solicit viewpoints from stakeholders on the FDASIA Health IT Report that was released April 3, 2014. Public comments on the FDASIA Report are due on Monday, July 7. Submit comments online here.
Health IT: The De-Identification Question
The rise of health apps has expanded the opportunities for individuals’ data to be used for research purposes, policy analysis and so on. But what are the complexities involved with making sure people are “de-identified” from their own data, so their privacy can be protected? At a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) workshop on May 7 on consumer-generated health data, panelists spent some time talking about whether there should be a uniform standard.
House Committee Seeks Input on How Technology Can Improve Healthcare
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health is seeking public input to identify “specific policies and legislative ideas on how the federal government can support technology adoption in our health care programs for the express and explicit purpose of reducing costs and increasing the overall quality and efficiency of the programs.”
Nominations Open for Federal and Congressional Health IT Leadership Awards
The HIMSS Health IT Leadership Awards Work Group is seeking nominations from HIMSS committee members for the Federal and Congressional Health IT Awards. These awards are presented to both an active federal official and a Member of Congress, who have achieved excellence in health IT at the national level. If you know a legislator or an official whom you believe is worthy to receive on of these respective awards, send them directly to Evan Yeckley.
|
| HIMSS EXCHANGE
|
Help Shape HIMSS15 Educational Program
The HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition — the health IT industry’s largest event — is known for its world-class education. The search is on for peer reviewers to ensure the integrity and relevance of 300+ education topics at HIMSS15. Peer Reviewers must be HIMSS members. Reviewers are more than just content experts — they are mentors to speakers throughout their presentation preparation and moderators for the sessions they mentor. Apply to be a HIMSS15 proposal reviewer today. For questions, please contact Deb Clough, Manager of Annual Conference Education.
HIMSS June Book of the Month Explores Social Media in Healthcare
The HIMSS Books June Book of the Month, Applying Social Media Technologies in Healthcare Environments, provides an indispensable overview of successful use of the latest innovations in the healthcare provider-patient relationship.
As professionals realize that success in the business of healthcare requires incorporation of social media tools into all aspects of their worlds and recognize the value offered by the numerous media channels, this compendium of case studies from various voices in the field will serve as a valuable resource for novices as well as experienced communicators.
Chapters provide insight into the motivation, planning, execution and evaluation of a range of innovative social media activities. Complete with checklists, tips and screenshots that demonstrate proven applications of various social channels in a range of situations, this will be a valuable tool to maximize opportunities in meeting the challenges of new healthcare demands.
This book is available in print, eBook and Kindle editions.
You also can save on this book through June 30 when you buy it as part of our Engagement Book Bundle. The bundle includes Applying Social Media Technologies in Healthcare Environments and 2013 HIMSS Book of the Year winner Engage! Transforming Healthcare Through Digital Patient Engagement.
|
|
|
| Interoperability Interchange* |
BRIEFING: Interoperability is the Key to Innovation. So What's the Delay?
With Glenn Tobin
Interoperability—the extent to which two or more systems can exchange and interpret information—is mission-critical for the healthcare industry, yet solutions are frustratingly beyond reach. Mr. Tobin explains what must be done to tap into the information technology revolution that has transformed other industries to solve some of health care's thorniest problems.
OPINION: Interoperability Needs More Than Fired-Up Buyers
By Scott Mace
Health information technology buyers have been demanding interoperability for some time, yet too many IT vendors have too often kept the door to interoperability locked tight, denying the industry $30 billion in potential savings.
PERSPECTIVE: Quit Dreaming About Interoperability and Focus on Enterprise Systems Integration
By Shahid N. Shah
The need for and attention to interoperability in health care is palpable – more and more vendors talk about, and even more customers complain about, how it's missing from products. Service vendors are struggling to make it happen and even the government is joining the chorus to help. However, interoperability is too grand a vision in a fragmented and enormous industry the size of health care. What we need to focus more on is basic blocking and tackling around systems integration, not the nirvana of full interoperability.
VIDEO: Health Story Project using the Consolidated CDA
With Edward P. Ambinder, MD
This 30-minute video was taken at HIMSS14 showing the collaborative efforts of the Health Story Project. The video illustrates standards-based interoperability, bringing everyone to the table to collaborate on a patient's care. The care team includes the primary care physician, surgeon, oncologist, a behavioral health specialist, and the patient herself. Patient health data is seamlessly transitioned across various care settings resulting in better care coordination and health management.
WEBINAR: The Health Story Project
With John C. Spinosa, MD
In this Physician Community Webinar, Dr. Spinosa walks physicians through the Consolidated CDA and the Health Story Project, which is dedicated to a comprehensive electronic record that can be shared to improve care through collaboration and analysis.
*The views expressed in the above Interoperability Interchange opinion section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of HIMSS. |
| Solutions Central |
ATA Draft Guidelines for Telemedicine and Telepathology
In May 2014, the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) released draft guidance for direct-to-patient telemedicine for urgent primary care and draft guidelines for clinical applications of telepathology (i.e., electronic multimedia communication between pathologists or laboratory personnel). The purpose of these guidelines is to assist practitioners in pursuing a sound course of action to provide effective and safe medical care that is founded on current information, available resources, and patient needs. ATA is seeking comments on both of these standards documents by June 12, 2014.
CMS Releases Interactive 'Reporting Once Tool'
In May 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the development and release of a new tool that allows providers to submit quality data just once to meet requirements of multiple quality reporting programs.
Physician Community Webinar: Health Story Project
60% of clinical information is locked in medical records. This webinar explores how Health Story Project can help you unlock the wealth of physician-attested information to improve patient care, reimbursement and proof of service.
Comprehensive Health Records That Tell a Patient's Health Story
Monday, June 30, 2014
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT
Take a journey through transformative patient care delivery by exploring the HIMSS Health Story Project. Discover how comprehensive electronic records can tell a patient's complete health story, improving information integration and interoperability. This is a FREE event open to all HIMSS members. Register by June 29!
|
| RENEW YOUR HIMSS MEMBERSHIP? |
| To ensure the continuation of your HIMSS member benefits, login to the Member Center to renew your membership today. If you need a paper invoice, request one via e–mail to the Member Services department. You can also renew by phone at 312-664-4467 (option 8, then 2). |
|
