Health Information Technology (HIT) Resources
The following resources were compiled to help Region VIII Community Health Centers stay informed about the new and changing world of Health Information Technology (HIT).
Visit the CHAMPS Meaningful Use Information and Resources webpage for an overview of Meaningful Use and links to additional resources providing in-depth details about the MU initiative.
Please click or scroll down for:
HHS Resources
Region VIII Efforts
Other HIT Resources
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS)
HHS Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
AHRQ's National Resource Center for Health Information Technology, including press releases, grant and contract opportunities, and lessons learned.
HHS Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
HRSA's Health Information Technology webpage includes links to current events, key resources (e.g., health center EHR selection guidelines, find a Regional Extension Center, IT-related HRSA workshops, etc.), a calendar of events, information about Meaningful Use, and a sign-up form to receive regular email updates from HRSA's Health IT community.
HHS National Health Information Infrastructure (NHII)
An initiative to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and overall quality of health and health care in the US through a network of interoperable systems of clinical, public health, and personal health information that would improve decision-making by making health information available when and where it is needed with a focus on the set of technologies, standards, applications, systems, values, and laws that support all facets of individual health, health care, and public health
HHS Health Information Technology (HIT)
Federal health IT initiatives, office activities, frequently asked questions, tools, programs, reports, links, etc.
A new education initative and set of online tools provide practical tips on ways to protect patients' protected health infomation when using mobile devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
Health IT Dashboard with facts about ONC programs and health IT initiatives, illustrating the impact of HITECH programs including Regional Extension Centers, Health IT Workforce Training, Meaningful Use, and more.
A comprehensive set of resources about Health Information Exchenge (HIE) and how it relates to Meaningful Use.
REGION VIII EFFORTS
Colorado Associated Community Health Information Exchange (CACHIE)
The goal of CACHIE is to promote the use of information technology to support quality reporting and improvement across the CHC networks. Fundamental to this effort is the concept of interoperability, which requires information systems to efficiently communicate thereby allowing use of shared technology to achieve stated goals.
Montana Primary Care Association (MPCA) HIT Webpage
MPCA has a partnership with Health Technology Services to assist CHCs with implementing, upgrading and utilizing electronic health records (EHR) to reach Meaningful Use. The webpage also provides HIT resources and will provide an HIT Toolkit for CHCs.
North Dakota Health Information Network (NDHIN)
NDHIN was created out of the North Dakota Department of Information Technology as a statewide interoperable health information infrastructure consistent with emerging national standards. NDHIN's mission is to advance the adoption and use of technology to exchange health information and improve healthcare quality, patient safety, and overall efficiency of healthcare and public health services of North Dakota.
South Dakota HealthLink
South Dakota HealthLink is provided by the South Dakota Department of Health to connect hospitals, federally qualified health centers, primary care providers, specialists, labs, and pharmacies as well as public health and other state agencies, allowing secure consultations and the sharing of test results with other providers for better patient outcomes.
Utah Health Information Network (UHIN)
An electronic commerce coalition of health care insurers, providers, and other interested parties, including State government with the common goal of reducing health care administrative costs through data standardization of administrative health data and electronic commerce (EC).
Wyoming Health Information Technology
A website for Wyoming providers and patients seeking information about Health Information Technology (HIT), including current news and resources such as terms and acronyms, frequently asked questions, links to useful websites, and a tool for providers to help them determine if they are eligible for the EHR Incentive Program.
OTHER HIT RESOURCES
Ask the Experts: Health Information Technology; Jill Braden Balderas, David Brailer, MD, PhD, Winston Price, MD, FAAP, and Dean Rosen
Kaisernetwork.org Healthcast, 06/30/2005
Online webcast, available in video or as a transcript; national experts discuss improving the nation's health information technology infrastructure
Best Practices Transforming Quality, Safety, and Efficiency: Health IT Tools and Resources
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Toolkit for small- and medium-sized health care practices that provides a workflow analysis for the planning, design, implementation, and use of health IT
Center for Health Information Technology
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
Interactive tools, news, events, projects, articles, tutorials, etc.
Connecting for Health
Markle Foundation
A public-private collaborative of more than 100 organizations enabling health professionals and patients to use information technology
Information Technology Library
Community Clinics Initiative
Library list of reports, guides, assessment tools, news releases, etc., including the following resources:
- EHR Readiness Assessment
- Health Information Technology: Federal Policy Landscape
- Healthcare Technology Resource Guide
Electronic Medical Records; Chris Tonozzi, MD
CHAMPS Archived Webcast, 2004
Addresses the need for organizational readiness assessment, arguments for using an EMR, assessment tools and criteria for selecting EMR software, hardware options for implementing an EMR, and issues to consider when contracting with an EMR software vendor; available for purchase or loan on CD-ROM (CME no longer available)
Differences Between EMR and EHR
Health Information Management Systems Society and
Medical Economics
White paper and article addressing the distinctions between Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Electronic Health Records (EHR)
Health Information Exchange (HIE) Resources
National Rural Health Resource Center
Toolkit of practical health information exchange resources, including the following tools:
- Forming or Joining a Health Information Exchange - First Considerations
- Health Information Exchange Return on Investment (ROI) Calculator
- Health Information Exchange DIRECT Guide
- Health Information Exchange Policy Matrix
Health Information Technology (HIT) in Federally Qualified Health Centers
NACHC Report, 2009
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) surveyed close to 1,000 FQHCs in 2008 in an effort to obtain a better understanding of adoption rates, trends in the use of HIT and identify common barriers to adoption of HIT among health centers.
Health Information Technology (HIT) FAQs, Tools, and More
Rural Assistance Center (RAC)
This RAC webpage is an Information Guide addressing HIT, including: FAQs, Tools, Funding, Documents, Journals, Organizations, Terms & Acronyms, Success Stories, Bibliographies, News, and Events.
Health Information Technology (HIT) Resources and Activities
American Medical Associaton (AMA)
Includes: CMS Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program, Self-Assessment and Planning, Financing ROI, Checklists, Reading Material, and Collaborative Performance Measure Integration EHR Systems
Technology Information & Updates for Community Health Centers
RCHN Community Health Foundation
Website addressing technology issues of interest to CHCs, providing columns and other writings, links to timely external content, and resource suggestions for making the use of technology more effective. These include information about CHC-relevant technology and related policy and serves as a resource for more specific information related to a number of issues, including but not limited to: technology adoption; technology evolution, new infrastructure and service models; solutions to support meaningful use; federal programs and opportunities; and reports from meetings and conferences of interest to CHCs.
Transforming Health Care: The Role of Health IT
Bipartisan Policy Center Task Force on Delivery System Reform and Health IT
Report presenting Task Force findings and recommendations in two primary areas: real-world examples and best practices that facilitate coordinated, accountable, patient-centered care; and recommendations for ensuring that current health information technology efforts support delivery system and payment models shown to improve quality and reduce costs in health cares, in ways that best utilize scarce public and private resources.
Quality Incentives for Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics and Free Clinics: A Report to Congress
Department of Health Policy, School of Public Health and Health Services, The George Washington University
Report to congress that addresses the Health Information Technology (HIT) incentives available to FQHCs and highlights the fact that Rural Health Clinics and free clinics are often excluded from incentive programs; published January 24, 2012.
