Policy/Regulation Fact Sheet

Policy/Regulation Selected: The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act

Brief Explanation:

The HITECH Act is a federal law that was passed in 2009. It is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The HITECH Act was designed to promote the adoption and use of electronic health records (EHRs) and other health information technology (HIT) systems.

The HITECH Act includes a number of provisions, including:

• Financial incentives for physicians and other healthcare providers to adopt and use certified EHR systems.
• Funding for the development and implementation of health information exchanges (HIEs), which allow healthcare providers to share patient health information electronically.
• Funding for the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), which is responsible for coordinating federal HIT efforts.

Impact on System Implementation:

The HITECH Act has had a significant impact on the adoption of EHR systems by healthcare providers. Prior to the HITECH Act, only about 20% of physicians in the United States used EHR systems. Today, over 90% of physicians use EHR systems.

The HITECH Act has also led to the development and implementation of HIEs. HIEs allow healthcare providers to share patient health information electronically, which can improve coordination of care and reduce medical errors.

Impact on Clinical Care, Patient/Provider Interactions, and Workflow:

The HITECH Act has had a positive impact on clinical care, patient/provider interactions, and workflow in several ways. First, EHR systems can help providers to improve the quality and efficiency of care. For example, EHR systems can help providers to track patient health information, manage medications, and order tests online.

Second, HIEs can help providers to coordinate care more effectively. For example, if a patient sees multiple providers, HIEs can allow providers to share patient health information electronically. This can help to ensure that all providers have the same information about the patient’s care, which can reduce medical errors and improve outcomes.

Third, EHR systems and HIEs can improve patient/provider interactions. For example, patients can use patient portals to access their medical records, schedule appointments, and communicate with their providers electronically. This can make it easier for patients to manage their healthcare and improve their satisfaction with care.

Organizational Policies and Procedures:

The following organizational policies and procedures are/will be in place at our healthcare organization to address the HITECH Act:

• EHR system selection and implementation: Our organization has a rigorous process for selecting and implementing new EHR systems. We evaluate EHR systems based on their ability to support clinical care, patient/provider interactions, and workflow.
• HIE participation: Our organization participates in a local HIE. This allows us to share patient health information electronically with other healthcare providers in our community.
• Patient engagement: We offer patients access to a patient portal. The patient portal allows patients to access their medical records, schedule appointments, and communicate with their providers electronically.
• Security and privacy: We have implemented a number of security and privacy measures to protect patient health information. These measures include encryption of data, access controls, and training for staff on security and privacy procedures.

Our organization is committed to complying with the HITECH Act and protecting patient health information. We believe that EHR systems and HIEs can improve the quality and efficiency of care for our patients. We have implemented a number of policies and procedures to support the use of these technologies and protect patient health information.

Examples of Specific Organizational Policies and Procedures:

• All providers must use the organization’s certified EHR system to document patient care and report quality data.
• Providers must comply with all applicable security and privacy regulations.
• The organization will provide training to all providers and staff on the use of the EHR system and on security and privacy procedures.
• The organization will conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with security and privacy regulations.

Conclusion:

The HITECH Act is a significant piece of legislation that has transformed the way healthcare is delivered in the United States. Our organization is committed to complying with the HITECH Act and using HIT to improve the quality and efficiency of care for our patients. We have implemented a number of policies and procedures to support the use of HIT and protect patient health information.