Fall 2011 issue of Horizons

access to their electronic health information in a “user friendly” format, and integrate patient- generated health information and consumer health IT with clinical applications to support patient-centered care. While the private sector will be the innovators of new technology, HHS will establish policies to foster an environment where patient-generated health information and consumer health IT are integrated with clinical applications to support patient-centered care. For example, a patient records their weigh in an EHR via wireless scale or a patient could make entries in their own EHR via a web portal.

A key initiative of HHS is to provide the access to health data, promote innovation in the IT industry and demonstrate the value of health IT to the public. The foundation for developing a health IT application is the ability to access reliable data that will add value to healthcare providers and patients. While there is a vast amount of health data available, currently, it is not in a usable format that would be beneficial to patients. The goal is to develop an electronic personal health record that can be easily accessible by a patient. In the short term, providers may elect to delay the implementation of an EHR system and forgo any incentive payments. However, given the strategic plan by HHS to develop an IT infrastructure to collect and disseminate health information to providers and patients over the next several years, all providers will eventually have to get connected to the health IT infrastructure in order stay competitive and to maintain profitability.

5. Achieve rapid learning and technological achievement

The objectives of this goal are the creation of learning health systems to support healthcare quality and broaden the capacity of health IT through research.

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Ken Rubin, CPA - St. Louis Partner-In-Charge Professional Services Group ken.rubin@rubinbrown.com 314.290.3417

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