Portrait of Ryan Panchadsaram

Winners of Patient Health Record Graphic Design Contest Announced

Ryan Panchadsaram | January 17, 2013

Three months ago we challenged graphic designers to help us reimagine what the patient health record could look like. We hoped that by making a patient health record more usable, the record could help prevent medical errors, empower patients to make better health decisions, and even save lives. We received a record number of submissions from graphic designers (more than 230). Our reviewers and curators were inspired by how the entrants were able to use design to make the record more human-centered and easy to use.

Read Full Post.
Portrait of Dr. Doug Fridsma

Interoperability vs Health Information Exchange: Setting the Record Straight

Dr. Doug Fridsma | January 9, 2013

One thing that I’ve learned in the government is that words matter, and sometimes, particularly in complicated or technical areas, it can be hard to use words that are precise and accurate. Sometimes we use the same term to apply to a broad range of concepts or ideas because it can be complicated to describe all the nuances captured by that work. Sometimes the words we use start out as verbs and then turn into nouns. 

Read Full Post.
Portrait of Nora Super

ONC’s Annual Meeting Sees Health IT as Foundation for New Payment Policies

Nora Super | January 4, 2013

More than 1,200 grantees, stakeholders, and other members of the public came together December 12 at the 2012 ONC Annual Meeting to discuss the successes, challenges and impacts of the wide-spread health information technology (health IT) adoption to improve care.  This year’s theme, “The Meaningful Foundation for the Future of Healthcare,” evoked how meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) is enabling providers to thrive under new payment and delivery systems.

Read Full Post.
Portrait of Dr. Farzad Mostashari

ONC Activities Support Governance of Nationwide Health Information Exchange

Dr. Farzad Mostashari | December 20, 2012

Earlier this year, ONC issued a request for information regarding a potential governance mechanism for the nationwide health information network.  Based on the comments and feedback we received from multiple stakeholders, ONC announced in September that we would not be issuing federal regulations. Instead, we committed to launch a range of activities to support existing governance initiatives and advance governance goals of nationwide health information exchange: increase interoperability, decrease the cost and complexity of exchange, and increase trust among participants to mobilize trusted exchange to support patient care. 

Read Full Post.