Dr. Blumenthal Wants to “Harmonize” Health Records
Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, has said, at the CONNECT users conference, that he wants to “harmonize” electronic health records within the National Health Information Network (NHIN).
The initial draft of the “meaningful use” criteria also suggests that electronic health record users be apart of a health information exchange, which will probably be the NHIN. According to Dr. Blumenthal, the Health and Human Services department is “working on continuing the momentum of the NHIN and CONNECT” in preparation for the release of the criteria.
“Given the federal investment in Health IT and the definition of meaningful use, it is clear there is a vibrant future for the NHIN,” remarked Dr. Blumenthal.
Aneesh Chopra, current Federal Chief Technology Officer and former Virginia CTO, also spoke at the conference and used MedVirginia as an example of how states can become part of the NHIN. MedVirginia created a statewide health data exchange during the CONNECT trial phases.
[...] David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health IT, plans to issue “meaningful use” requirements for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Health IT awards. “Meaningful use” has [...]