Related Guides on this Topic
You may also want to see these guides on related topics: HIPAA, Technology, Telehealth
Introduction
Health information technology (HIT) is using computers to store, protect, retrieve, and transfer information electronically within health care settings. The potentials of HIT are to reduce medication errors; increase sharing of health information between providers, laboratories, pharmacies, and patients; ensure safer patient transitions between health care settings; and reduce duplicative and unnecessary testing. Using HIT to drive improvements in healthcare will require the support of many diverse stakeholders in the healthcare system including practicing clinicians, hospitals, payers and HIT suppliers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tools
AHRQ National Resource Center Evaluation Toolkit
Web site
Helps with the process of creating a plan to evaluate a health information technology project.
AHRQ National Resource Center for Health Information Technology
Web site
A central, national source of information to assist health care providers adopt and use health information technology. Web site includes a variety of documents, Web links, funded HIT project outcomes, and funding opportunity
announcements.
Broadband Opportunities for Rural America
Web site
Provides a clearinghouse of information and resources on broadband opportunities for rural America.
Directory of Federal HIT Programs
Web site
A directory of federal HIT programs as defined by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Includes the agency/organization name, title of the HIT initiative and a description of the activity.
DOQ-IT (Doctor's Office Quality Information Technology) University
Web site
Interactive, web-based tool designed to provide solo and small-to-medium sized physician practices with the education for successful HIT adoption. Is available at no charge, but registration is required.
eHealth Initiative Connecting Communities Toolkit
Web site
Tools designed to equip states, regions and local communities with the information and expertise to begin or advance local health information exchange initiatives and organizations. Free, but registration is required.
EHR Selection Toolkit for Community Health Centers
Web site
Provides a list of criteria to review with vendors of EHR systems to insure the unique needs of community health centers (CHCs) are met.
FCC Rural Health Care Pilot Program
Web site
Web site with information regarding a pilot funding program to facilitate the creation of a nationwide broadband network dedicated to health care, connecting public and private non-profit health care providers in rural and urban locations.
Government Health IT Resources
Web site
Provides a guide to public policy and its applications in health IT.
Health Data Management Resource Guide
Web site
Directory of vendors and consultants that sell health information technologies. Topics covered include electronic medical record, clinical information systems, pharmacy technology, and much more.
Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration Toolkit
Web site
Provides guidance for conducting organization-level assessments of business practices, policies, and State laws that govern the privacy and security of health information exchange (HIE).
Health Information Technology at NLM
Web site
Contains resources regarding health information technology. NLM is the central coordinating body for clinical terminology standards within the Department of Health and Human Services.
Health Information Technology Costs & Benefits Database Project
Web site
Designed to find reported outcomes from the published literature (from 1995 to 2003) on the costs and benefits (i.e., return on investment) of HIT. Searchable interface allows easy look up, and articles are abstracted in case users do not have access to the journals' full content.
Health IT in Small and Rural Communities
Web site
Provides background information, current activities, emerging lessons, and projects funded by AHRQ.
Health IT.gov
Web site
Health IT initiatives harness current information technologies to improve patient safety while reducing the cost of providing care. Some of the numerous benefits of health IT initiatives will include a reduction in medical errors, avoidance of costly duplicate testing, and elimination of unnecessary hospitalizations.
iHealthBeat
Web site
Is a free, daily news digest reporting on the Internet's impact on health care. Addresses issues affecting health care policy, delivery and financing.
NHINWatch
Web site
A comprehensive Web site covering the creation of a Nationwide Health Information Network in the United States.
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
Web site
Provides leadership for the development and nationwide implementation of an interoperable health information technology infrastructure to improve the quality and efficiency of health care and the ability of consumers to manage their care and safety.
Regional and National Telehealth Resource Centers
Web site
Describes the five regional Telehealth Resource Centers which serve as a focal point for advancing effective use of telehealth technologies in their respective communities and regions of the nation.
Rural Health Information Technology Conference, 2006
Web site
Conference materials from the HIT Conference in September 2006. Includes conference agenda, speakers' presentations, and conference primer "A Roadmap for the Adoption of HIT in Rural Communities" and several audio recordings.
Rural Health Information Technology Conference, 2007
Web site
Includes links to the presentations from the Rural Health Information Technology Conference, held in Kansas City, Missouri, September 12-14, 2007.
Rural Health Research: Health information technology
Web site
Provides summaries of current and completed rural health research projects and related publications addressing the topic of health information technology (HIT), produced by the Office of Rural Health Policy's funded rural health research centers.
Rural Health Resource Center HIT Tools and Resources
Web site
Provides tools, documents, state profiles, funding, legislation and organizations that focus on Health Information Technology for rural healthcare communities.
Rural Health Resource Center: Health Information Technology
Web site
A search engine to access rural health information technology (HIT) resources including news, legislation, events, an HIT dictionary, funding, and state profiles.
State Legislation Tracking Center
Web site
Lists state-by-state information on bills that have been proposed, are pending or have passed that involve health information technology or health information exchange.
Technology Opportunities Program: Support for Innovations in Health Care
Web site
Provides information on the types of grant projects, offers a searchable database of all the grants, has links to the websites of nearly 300 TOP grantees, and connects to a resource center for current TOP grantees.
Regulations, Forms & Other Useful Documents
2006 Report to the Secretary: Rural Health and Human Service Issues
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
Report to the Secretary of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. Includes chapters focused on pharmaceuticals and pharmacy services, health information technology, and family caregiver support. Includes recommendations to address these topics.
Date: 01 / 2006
AHRQ’s Ambulatory Safety and Quality Program: Health IT Portfolio
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Describes the different health IT grants that have been awarded by AHRQ regarding Ambulatory Safety and Quality. For the purpose of this program, AHRQ defines ambulatory care as health services provided by healthcare professionals in outpatient settings.
Date: 09 / 2007
Best EHRs for Small Practices
Author(s): Robert Lowes
A comprehensive survey from two companies identifying the best EHRs for small practices.
Date: 09 / 2006
California Can Lead the Way in Health Information Technology: Recommendations to Governor Schwarzenegger's eHealth Action Forum
Sponsoring organization: California HealthCare Foundation
Provides 10 recommendations related to health information technology (HIT) as a means to transform health care in California.
Date: 10 / 2006
Costs and Benefits of Health Information Technology: Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 132
Author(s): Paul Shekelle, Sally C. Morton, Emmett B. Keeler
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Assesses the evidence base regarding benefits and costs of health information technology (HIT) systems in various healthcare settings. Widespread implementation of HIT has been limited by a lack of knowledge about what types of HIT and implementation methods will improve care and manage costs for specific health organizations.
Date: 04 / 2006
Current Status of Health Information Technology Use in CAHs
Author(s): Michelle Casey, Jill Klingner, Walt Gregg, Ira Moscovice, Emily Nicholson, Tami Lichtenberg, Terry Hill
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
Examines the use of Health Information Technology (HIT) in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Includes information on HIT infrastructure and the computerization of different functions within CAHs.
Date: 05 / 2006
Directory of Rural Health Networks: Profiling Network Information Technology Use
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Brandi Shay, Sue Nardie, J. Patrick Hart, Dianne Harrop, Donadea Rasmussen
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Profiles of selected rural health networks funded by the Office of Rural Health Policy. Includes information on each network's current use of information technology (IT) and future plans for IT.
Date: 03 / 2005
Focus on Funding: Finding the Funds for Rural HIT
Author(s): Hope Hanson
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Provides a condensed introduction to HIT funding sources and reference tools.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08 / 2006
Forward Momentum: Hospital Use of Information Technology
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
Describes a survey which asked hospitals about use of specific kinds of IT, financing of IT systems, barriers to greater use, and involvement in arrangements to share clinical information.
Date: 10 / 2005
Getting Information Rights Right: Identifying the Rights-related Issues in Health Information Exchange
Author(s): Adele A. Waller
Sponsoring organization: American Health Information Management Association
For health information exchange initiatives, or regional health information organizations (RHIOs), to get information rights right, they must identify and address the issues in policies and contracts from the outset.
Date: 11 / 2006
Health Information Technology Adoption Among Health Centers: A Digital Divide in the Making?
Author(s): Adil Moiduddin, Daniel S. Gaylin
Sponsoring organization: National Health Policy Forum
Describes the current status of efforts to implement health information technology (HIT) in community health centers.
Date: 07 / 2007
Health Information Technology in Rural Areas
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
Chapter from the 2006 Report to the Secretary: Rural Health and Human Service Issues. Discusses rural health information technology (HIT), with a focus on the electronic health record (EHR). Includes discussion of specific rural HIT concerns and advantages compared to urban/suburban providers.
Date: 01 / 2006
Health Information Technology in the United States: The Information Base for Progress
Sponsoring organization: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Provides an overview of the electronic health record (EHR). Discusses current levels of EHR adoption, incentives and barriers to the use of health information technology (HIT), the impact HIT could have on health disparities, and how the collection of data on EHR adoption could be improved.
Date: 10 / 2006
Health Information Technology Initiative, Major Accomplishments: 2004-2006
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Discusses milestones HHS has achieved to meet the President’s call for most Americans to have access to electronic health records by 2014.
Date: 2007
Health Information Technology Leadership Panel: Final Report
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Reports on the Health Information Technology Leadership Panel findings and recommendations regarding the importance of investing in HIT, particularly regarding the major roles of government and the private sector in its widespread implementation.
Date: 03 / 2005
Health Information Technology: A "HIT" in Rural Areas
Author(s): Hope Hanson
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Discusses the growing use of technology in rural health care, and the importance of HIT and electronic health records. Describes the CareSpark Model. Examines how technology is opening up a world of powerful possibilities in advancing health care, both urban and rural.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08 / 2006
Health Information Technology: HHS is Continuing Efforts to Define Its National Strategy, September 2006
Author(s): David A. Powner
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
Discusses areas of progress and activities made by the Department of Health and Human Services to develop its national health information technology (HIT) strategy.
Date: 09 / 2006
HIT: Issues and Opportunities for Rural Hospitals
Author(s): Tami Lichtenberg
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Resource Center
Discusses the barriers to implementing health information technology (HIT) and the electronic health record (EHR) for rural hospitals.
Date: 10 / 2007
Human Services and HIT
Author(s): Hope Hanson
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Discusses how the medical community is moving toward a more integrative approach through HIT by integrating with human services. Highlights the North Olympic Telehealth Network based at Clallam County Hospital in rural Forks, Washington as well as the Michigan Childhood Immunization Registry.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08 / 2006
Improving the Quality of Healthcare through Health Information Exchange: Selected Findings from Ehealth Initiative's Third Annual Survey of Health Information Exchange Activities at the State, Regional and Local Levels
Sponsoring organization: eHealth Initiative
Highlights trends across the United States in health information exchange activities. Overview of federal and state policies related to the use of health information technology (HIT) to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare.
Date: 09 / 2006
Medical Informatics for Better and Safer Health Care
Author(s): Barbara L. Kass-Bartelmes, Eduardo Ortiz
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Provides good background information. Describes a few computer systems that are relevant to the problems clinicians face, such as improving the quality of patient care and patient safety, preventing medical errors, reducing costs, helping patients manage their conditions, and minimizing the impact of bioterrorism.
Date: 06 / 2002
Navigating American Health Care: How Information Technology Can Foster Health Care Improvement
Author(s): Karen Davenport
Sponsoring organization: Center for American Progress
Discusses Health Information Technology systems, and how when properly implemented, could transform health care providers delivery of care—resulting in a quality-focused health care system that improves lives, lower costs, and boosts health care productivity.
Date: 05 / 2007
New Hospital Information Technology: Is it Helping to Improve Quality?
Author(s): Suzanne Felt-Lisk
Sponsoring organization: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
Study included a nationally representative survey of hospitals that asked senior hospital executives whether clinicians use six specific types of information technology (IT). The survey also assessed whether IT had advanced quality of care, and if so, the most important ways in which it had done so.
Date: 05 / 2006
Paperless Trail
Author(s): Dwain Harris
Citing improved quality and efficiency, more rural providers are converting to electronic medical record-keeping. Discusses health information technology issues in Kentucky.
Date: 2006
Privacy and Security Solutions for Interoperable Health Information Exchange
Author(s): Linda L. Dimitropoulos
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Documents and summarizes the Assessment of Variations and Analysis of Solutions reports that were submitted 33 states and 1 territory to identify barriers to the electronic exchange of health information, suggest possible solutions and plans to implement these solutions.
Date: 07 / 2007
Profiles of Progress: State Health IT Initiatives
Sponsoring organization: National Association of State Chief Information Officers
A compendium of HIT efforts that focuses on measures state governments have initiated or endorsed through legislation, executive order, or by engaging in public/private or non-profit partnerships with outside organizations.
Date: 11 / 2006
Public Health and Information Technology at the United States-Mexico Border: Examples Show Potential
Sponsoring organization: Office of Rural Health Policy
Examines the use of health information technology (HIT) in public health programs at the United States-Mexico border, with an emphasis on frontier and rural health. Includes examples of successful projects addressing tuberculosis, immunizations, and diabetes.
Date: 02 / 2007
Roadmap for the Adoption of Health Information Technology in Rural Communities
Author(s): Julie A. Schoenman, Joy Keeler, Adil Moiduddin, Benjamin N. Hamlin
Sponsoring organization: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Assists rural providers who are just beginning their investigation of using health IT, and its applicability to their organization.
Date: 08 / 2006
Rural IT: Information Technology Challenges in the Heartland
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
Special supplement issue advising small and rural hospital executives on the information technology (IT) challenges they face and helping identify strategies to promote adoption. Includes articles on funding and connectivity issues.
Journal citation: Hospitals and Health Networks
Date: 08 / 2006
Small, Stand-Alone, and Struggling: The Adoption of Health Information Technology by Rural Hospitals: Policy Analysis Brief
Author(s): Julie A. Schoenman
Sponsoring organization: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Reports findings from a national survey of rural hospitals designed to investigate how differences among the hospitals affect their implementation of health IT.
Date: 04 / 2007
Technological Change and the Growth of Health Care Spending
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Budget Office
Examines the growth in health care spending from
1965 to 2005 and projects its growth through 2082.
Date: 01 / 2008
Organizations
AAFP Center for Health Information Technology (CHIT)
National organization
Works to promote use of health information technology by American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) members and other office-based clinicians, for the purposes of improving the quality and safety of medical care, and to increasing the efficiency of medical practice.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Federal government
Sponsors and conducts research that provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes; quality; and cost, use, and access. The information helps health care decisionmakers - patients and clinicians, health system leaders, purchasers, and policymakers - make more informed decisions and improve the quality of health care services.
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
National organization
A community of professionals engaged in health information management, providing support to members and strengthening the industry and profession.
American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)
National organization
Dedicated to developing and using information technologies to improve health care.
Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT)
National organization
A recognized certification body (RCB) for electronic health records and their networks, and an independent, voluntary, private-sector initiative. Mission is to accelerate the adoption of health information technology by creating an efficient, credible and sustainable product certification program.
eHealth Initiative (EHI)
National organization
Membership organization seeking to drive improvement in the quality, safety and efficiency of healthcare through information and information technology.
Health IT Certification
Commercial
Provides professional training and certification for those responsible for planning, selecting, implementing, and managing electronic health records (EHR) and other health information technology (HIT).
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Federal government
Works to improve and expand access to quality health care for all. Part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
National organization
HIMSS frames and leads healthcare public policy and industry practices through its advocacy, educational and professional development initiatives designed to promote information and management systems' contributions to ensuring quality patient care.
National Library of Medicine (NLM)
Federal government
The world's largest medical library. Producer of MEDLINE, PubMed and MEDLINEplus.
Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT)
Federal government
Promotes wider adoption of advanced technologies in the provision of health care services and education. Part of the Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Rural Telecommunications Congress (RTC)
National organization
Dedicated to assuring that rural areas in the United States have access to the information and support they need to obtain and use advanced telecommunications services and technology for social and economic development.
Terms & Acronyms
Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) A system that includes both inpatient orders and the electronic ordering of outpatient prescriptions often referred to as e-prescribing. The CPOE allows physicians and other caregivers to input orders directly into a computer, thereby eliminating problems with handwriting legibility and order transcription.
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) A generic term used to describe a computer-based patient medical record that includes patient information regarding diagnoses, test/procedure results and other relevant medical information such as medical appointments and correspondence.
Electronic Prescribing (eRx) The component of CPOE systems which can increase medication safety by checking drug doses, routes of administration, frequency of administration, patient allergies, and drug-to-drug interactions before a prescription is issued, and by alerting clinicians when patients are at risk because of a potential prescription.
Health Information Exchange (HIE) Refers to the sharing of clinical and administrative data across the boundaries of health care institutions and other health data repositories.
Medical Informatics Deals with promoting the effective organization, analysis, management, and use of information in health care.
Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO) A cooperative organization which can enable the regional constituents to securely and reliably exchange patient healthcare information. Their purpose is to improve patient health services and care through information sharing, advocacy, collaboration, technical innovations, and community affiliations.
Telehealth The use of telecommunication technologies for clinical care (telemedicine), patient teaching and home health, health professional education (distance learning), administrative and program planning, and other diverse aspects of a health care delivery system.
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