{"id":2734,"date":"2012-02-17T14:46:08","date_gmt":"2012-02-17T19:46:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.healthit.gov\/buzz-blog\/?p=2734"},"modified":"2026-01-06T15:10:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T15:10:36","slug":"onc-staff-tops-agenda-himss-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthit.gov\/blog\/insights-updates\/onc-staff-tops-agenda-himss-2012\/","title":{"rendered":"ONC Staff Tops the Agenda at HIMSS 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last year, the annual HIMSS conference drew record-breaking crowds <\/a> with more than 30,000 people from around the country gathered to learn about the latest health information technology (health IT) and to share ideas and experiences. Electronic health records (EHRs), meaningful use, and how to use technology to improve care dominated the schedule. Presentations by ONC staff were among the best attended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HIMSS 2012, held February 20-24 in Las Vegas, NV, is also sure to offer content of interest to health IT professionals as well as physicians, nurses, and administrators whose practices and facilities are making the transition to health IT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2011 proved to be a momentous year <\/a>of progress in the effort to modernize the U.S. health care system through health IT.  Regional Extension Centers surpassing their recruitment goals <\/a>and recent data shows accelerating momentum on hospitals and providers across the country adopting and meaningfully using EHRs and health IT. Come see ONC at HIMSS<\/a> 2012 where you will get a look at how we will build upon this progress in the year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, the HIMSS line-up is impressive. ONC staff\u2014as well as representatives of other Federal agencies<\/a> \u2014will be there in force, talking about everything from how to leverage clinical decision support software to increase quality of care <\/a> to the nuts-and-bolts of assuring the privacy and security of digital patient information <\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a quick look at some of the great ONC offerings at HIMSS 2012:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keynote and Town Hall Meeting Led by Farzad Mostashari, MD, ScM<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Mostashari, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, will offer the keynote<\/a> on Thursday, February 23 at 8:30 a.m. and lead a Town Hall session<\/a> on Wednesday afternoon, February 22 at 2:15 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While 2011 marked tremendous progress in health IT and the adoption of EHRs, and achievement of meaningful use among the nation\u2019s hospitals and physicians, Dr. Mostashari will report on the road ahead<\/a>, which includes breaking down the barriers to electronic exchange of important clinical information and the use of health IT to encourage consumers to get more involved in and informed about their own health care than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Showcase Theaters on Hot Health IT Topics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do you have burning health IT questions? ONC staff will be on hand to answer questions about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n