ONC Announces 10-Year Plan for Health IT Interoperability

Written by Ronny Bachrach on December 15, 2014. Posted in Digital Radiography and PACS, E.H.R., Software

Each health care specialty requires comprehensive record keeping for all patients, regardless of their status as inpatient or outpatient. According to a recent report from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, improving quality of care relies on interoperability among medical devices and software.

Current and future electronic health records are helping reform the industry in the 21st century as doctors build stronger connections with patients. In turn, patients are becoming more accountable for their own care as they gain access to EHRs through their providers' online portals. As more vendors add the ability to share medical imaging results on EHR software, radiologists can experience the benefits of these platforms as well.

ONC announces 10-year plan for health IT
Detailed in the agency's newest paper, "Health IT Enabled Quality Improvement: A Vision to Achieve Better Health and Health Care," the ONC outlined a 10-year plan for system-wide advancements that involve clinical decision support software and quality measures that accurately assess performance.

According to EHRIntelligence, this infrastructure would provide point-of-care doctors with comprehensive, real-time data and insights that enhance clinical services. This feedback loop improves quality of care as it happens, similar to how new cars alert drivers to potential collisions. The ONC provided three-, six- and 10-year benchmarks that chart progress, from determining reporting standards to analyzing big data.

As EHR software enhances data collection, more providers will be able to exchange useful information throughout the continuum of care.

The emphasis on quality reporting
Any meaningful clinical data that can be delivered to a hospital or care provider, which details rendered services and current health statuses, can have a significant impact on quality improvement. For example, radiologists can review EHRs to determine if additional diagnostic imaging is required or would be redundant and expensive to the facility and patient. 

Clinical quality improvement is integral to enhancing the health care industry, and innovative technology can hold the key to success. According to the ONC, this will require:

  • Using certification and testing standards for all clinical software
  • Establishing strong and reliable privacy and security protection for health information
  • Fostering business environments that promote innovation and the use of data exchange tools.

The agency aims to work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop universal goals for the three-, six- and 10-year timeframes to achieve its vision of interoperability.

Contact Viztek for more information.

Ronny Bachrach

Ronny Bachrach

Marketing Director at Viztek LLC
Responsible for all marketing activities including, press, advertising, trade show coordination, website management, dealer and customer communications.
Ronny Bachrach
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