In its continuing efforts to support health information exchange, the Office of the National Coordinator has published new resources to help stakeholders and others understand the topic.
The new tools include an identity management educational resource, a white paper on a trust framework, a preliminary HIE certification and accreditation landscape and the final report from the National HIE Governance Forum.
The agency says it is "committed to a range of activities to support existing governance initiatives and advance governance goals of nationwide health information exchange to:
- Increase interoperability;
- Increase trust among all participants to mobilize trusted exchange to support patient health and care; and
- Decrease the cost and complexity of exchange," it notes on its HIE website
Many of the new resources revolved around "trust," which is a high priority for the agency. The different business models are being developed by HIEs place an emphasis on trust issues, such as privacy and security, the authentication of users and breach notification obligations.
On its website, ONC notes that the new resources "are not to be considered ... guidance."
ONC created the forum to help stakeholders partner with itself and each other to identify and share HIE approaches and challenges in a collaborative manner. The agency tabled its consideration of issuing regulations regarding HIE governance in 2012 after receiving negative feedback from the industry and has subsequently opted instead to provide voluntary guidance.
To learn more:
- view the resources