By statute, the Health Information Technology Extension Program (or ‘‘Extension Program’’) consists of a National Health Information Technology Research Center (HITRC) and Regional Extension Centers (or ‘‘regional centers’’).
This website will contain updated information regarding national, state and regional efforts to establish these centers.
The major focus for the Centers’ work with most of the providers that they serve will be to help to select and successfully implement certified electronic health records (EHRs).
We propose that the goals of the regional center program should be to:
—Encourage adoption of electronic health records by clinicians and hospitals;
—Assist clinicians and hospitals to become meaningful users of electronic health records; and
—Increase the probability that adopters of electronic health record systems will become meaningful users of the
technology.
The HITECH Act states that ‘‘the objective of the regional centers is to enhance and promote the adoption of health information technology through—
(A) Assistance with the implementation, effective use, upgrading, and ongoing maintenance of health information technology, including electronic health records, to healthcare providers nationwide;
(B) broad participation of individuals from industry, universities, and State governments;
(C) active dissemination of best practices and research on the implementation, effective use, upgrading, and ongoing maintenance of health information technology, including electronic health records, to health care providers in order to improve the quality of healthcare and protect the privacy and security of health information;
(D) participation, to the extent practicable, in health information exchanges;
(E) utilization, when appropriate, of the expertise and capability that exists in Federal agencies other than the Department; and
(F) integration of health information technology, including electronic health records, into the initial and ongoing training of health professionals and others in the healthcare industry that would be instrumental to improving the
quality of healthcare through the smooth and accurate electronic use and exchange of health information.’’
Related posts:
- Nationwide Beacon Community Program for Health Information Exchange
- “Meaningful” Progress Toward Electronic Health Information Exchange
- State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program
- The HITECH Foundation for Information Exchange
- New York HEAL NY Community-Based Health Information Technology
