Portrait of Lucia Savage

New at Health Datapalooza 2016: A Day Devoted to Privacy and Security

Lucia Savage | April 28, 2016

For many years now, health IT developers, consumer advocates, and representatives from U.S and international governments have converged on Washington D.C. each spring for Health Datapalooza. This national conference brings together the companies, startups, academics, government agencies, and individual innovators working on the newest and most effective uses of health data to improve patient outcomes. Over the years, as interest in the event and the exciting opportunities to leverage health information has grown, so has interest in ensuring appropriate privacy and security safeguards and enabling consumer access to their health information — not just in the United States but worldwide.

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Portrait of Dr. Karen B. DeSalvo

Moving Toward Improved Care Through Information

Dr. Karen B. DeSalvo | April 27, 2016

Seven years ago, Congress passed a law to spur the country to digitize the health care experience for Americans and connect doctor’s practices and hospitals, thereby modernizing patient care through the Electronic Health Records (EHRs) Incentive Programs, also known as “Meaningful Use.” Before this shift began, many providers did not have the capital to invest in health information technology and patient information was siloed in paper records.  Since then, we have made incredible progress, with nearly all hospitals and three-quarters of doctors using EHRs.

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Portrait of Seth Pazinski

Help Inform the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Measurement of Interoperability

Seth Pazinski | April 7, 2016

Today, we are asking for your input on ways to measure the progress toward a future where health information is flowing between providers and patients to supports a health system that provides better care, smarter spending, and healthier people. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) declares it a national objective to achieve the widespread exchange of health information through the use of interoperable certified electronic health records and directs HHS to establish metrics in consultation with you – the health IT community – to see if that objective has been met.

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