New resource provides streamlined access to CMS assessment data elements mapped to health IT standards The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (@CMSGov) announced the agency’s first Data Element Library (DEL). The DEL is a new CMS database that supports the exchange of electronic health information. Using this free, centralized resource, the public for the first time can view…

By Nancy Pratt, Chief Operating Officer, AirStrip Twitter: @AirStripmHealth This past year, 2017, has been a challenging year for many industries, and healthcare is certainly no exception. Not only are there major challenges connected to an increasingly aging population and outdated healthcare infrastructure, but the industry is also adapting to the policies associated with a new presidential administration. While technology will continue to be…

By Erin Weber, Associate Director, CAQH Twitter: @CAQH When it comes to adopting the latest technological advancements, the U.S. healthcare system is something of a paradox. Information technology is widespread in clinical care—most hospitals and physician practices now use electronic medical records, and healthcare systems and health plans aggregate and analyze patient data to determine the effectiveness of care and patterns…

By Keith Boone, Healthcare Standards Twitter: @motorcycle_guy One of the challenges for any organization when working with standards is that there are so many to choose from. For many years I had the luxury of being in a position that was nearly entirely devoted to the creation, tracking, management and leadership in standards development. Participating in standards development is challenging. Many organizations haven't…

By Charles Stellar, President and CEO, Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) Twitter: @WEDIonline Every healthcare encounter is a collaboration: between patient and provider, physician and lab tech, patient and support staff. Each participant in the healthcare spectrum plays a vital role that supports quality outcomes. The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) has been facilitating the needs of the health…

By Angela Pierce, Chief Financial Officer, AirStrip Twitter: @AirStripmHealth Over the last few years, the healthcare industry has undergone an incredible revolution. Mobility solutions deployed across the care continuum are providing higher quality patient care. The shift from fee-for-service to fee-for-value – no matter how the political environment affects the market – is prevailing. Beyond that, innovation and digital tools are supporting this…

Want to contribute to future heath IT policies and standards? You may now apply to become a member of the new Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC). Applications for the Department of Health and Human Services appointments on the committee will be accepted until noon (EST) on August 4, 2017. We encourage interested professionals to fill out a Health IT…

By Tommy White, Vice President, Solutions Management, PointClear Solutions Twitter: @PointClearHIT With the number of Americans who own smartphones steadily increasing – recent research indicates that more than two-thirds of adults own some type of smartphone — the number of people using apps to help manage their healthcare is also increasing. Healthcare providers, practices, payers, and other stakeholders in the delivery of…

The Following News has been reported by the ONC ONC at Health Datapalooza 2017 ONC will be hosting listening sessions focused on different topics related to health information technology at Health Datapalooza on April 27-28, 2017. Several of their team members are also speaking in education sessions and on the main stage. See the schedule of ONC’s listening and education…