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The Changing Face of National Healthcare Information Technology
by J. Eric Smith
On May 6, 2004, Dr. David Brailer became the country’s first National Health Information Technology Coordinator, a newly created position within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As outlined in President Bush’s executive order establishing this role, Brailer is responsible for developing, maintaining and directing a nationwide interoperable health information technology infrastructure in both the public and private health care sectors that will reduce medical errors, improve quality and produce greater value for health care expenditures within 10 years.
According to the HHS, the infrastructure will not be just another national database. Instead, it will be a set of standards and secure networks that doctors and hospitals can use to instantly gather information such as test results, x-rays and medical history as well as clinical guidelines, drug labeling and current research findings. Additionally, the system will allow physicians and other health care providers to access up-to-date electronic health records for patients who have given their permission, regardless of when and where the patients receive care.
The HHS estimates that the national health information network can save approximately $140 billion annually by improving care, reducing medical errors, and eliminating duplicate medical tests. Other benefits of the infrastructure include:
- Avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations;
- Streamlining the reporting of public health information for early detection and response to disease outbreaks and potential bioterrorism;
- Providing better, more current medical records at lower costs; and
- Helping consumers and patients manage their own health by giving them greater control of their health records.
To meet the goal of improving healthcare, the HHS will have to address numerous issues to ensure proper functioning of the infrastructure.
For example, the office is already advocating the development of local health information systems that use compatible software to communicate with one another. And, because of the sensitive nature of medical records, all information in the infrastructure must be protected by stringent security and privacy standards to ensure appropriate authorization, authentication and encryption of data that will be transmitted over the Internet. This will impact organizations in all industries as these systems and standards are developed and companies begin the process of adhering to the guidelines.
To learn more about the nationwide interoperable health information technology infrastructure and how it will affect IT systems, please contact EDI. For additional information on Dr. Brailer’s position and the national initiatives, click here.
