NHC UPDATE
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Electronic Health Records -September 2009
As the largest segment of consumers of health care, patients with chronic diseases and disabilities can benefit greatly from electronic health records (EHRs). For this group, health information technology plays an especially important role in changing the overall delivery system so that it meets a patient’s broad and complex agenda to live longer and feel better.
To ensure that this is done correctly, the National Health Council issued comments to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology regarding the Health IT Policy Committee’s recommended timeline of requirements for meaningful use, as it relates to electronic health records (EHRs).
The NHC commended the Policy Committee for focusing on improved quality, patient engagement, and coordination of care. However, the comments pointed out that significant transformation of the nation’s current health care system is not possible without incorporating comprehensive assessments and evaluations as a part of care coordination for those with chronic diseases and disabilities.
The NHC recommended that comprehensive assessments and evaluations be incorporated in the 2011 objectives and measures to improve care coordination. These assessments and evaluations can then be conducted and shared electronically among the multi-specialty provider groups, patient, and family caregivers. These tools can also be expanded in the future to assess a patient’s interest or willingness to participate in a clinical trial.
The NHC will continue to work with the Policy Committee to develop effective tools that incorporate EHRs in order to improve health care delivery for patients with chronic diseases and disabilities.
Staff Contact: Kevin Cain, Assistant Vice President, Government Affairs and Programs
