By Dr. Jay Anders, Chief Medical Officer, Medicomp Systems
X: @MedicompSys
X: @medicompdoc
Host of Tell Me Where IT Hurts – #TellMeWhereITHurts
In this episode I welcome Jeffery Smith, Deputy Director of Certification and Testing at the ONC, for an in-depth discussion of the latest developments in health information technology regulations –– beginning with the Health Technology Interoperability (HTI) rules.
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Meet the Guest
Jeffery Smith, Deputy Director, Certification & Testing Division, ASTP/ONC
LinkedIn: Jeffery Smith
LinkedIn: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy
Jeffery Smith is the Deputy Division Director within the Certification & Testing Division in the Office of Technology at ONC where he oversees and implements policies related to the ONC Health IT Certification Program. He has served in this capacity since 2020 where he manages a team of 18, spanning tools and testing, program administration, and conformance review functions.
Smith shares the administration’s goals in improving interoperability, supporting access to electronic health information, and setting clear expectations for data sharing. He highlights the importance of transparency in clinical decision support systems and AI algorithms, emphasizing the need for users to understand the inputs and performance of these tools.
The discussion delves into the modular API approach introduced in HTI-2, aimed at creating a more flexible and standardized framework for health data exchange. Smith also addresses the critical need for public health data modernization, reflecting on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
A significant portion of the conversation focuses on efforts to improve data flow between healthcare providers and public health authorities, including updates to existing certification criteria and new requirements for both sending and receiving systems.
We touch on broader issues, such as funding challenges for healthcare standards development and concerns about technology potentially widening healthcare disparities. Smith also discusses the recent reorganization of the ONC under the new Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy, aimed at better aligning health IT initiatives across HHS agencies.
The episode concludes with reflections on the ongoing challenge of rising healthcare costs and the potential for technology solutions to address the issue.
Among the topics covered…
- The goals and scope of Health Technology Interoperability (HTI) regulations
- Clinical decision support and transparency in AI/ML algorithms
- Modular API approach in HTI-2 and certification processes
- Public health data modernization initiatives
- CDC’s efforts to improve data flow between healthcare providers and public health authorities
- Updates to existing certification criteria for various health data reporting systems
- Certification of both sending and receiving systems in public health data exchange
- Funding challenges for healthcare standards development
- Concerns about technology potentially widening healthcare disparities
- Reorganization of ONC under the new Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy
- Efforts to harmonize and align health IT initiatives across HHS agencies
- Rising healthcare costs and the need for tech solutions
- “If you had a magic wand … “
Original source of content from Medicomp System’s blog and published here with permission.
About the Show
Join host Dr. Jay Anders as he sits down with experts from across healthcare and technology to discuss ways to improve EHR usability for end users. Dr. Anders and his guests explore opportunities to enhance clinical systems to make them work better for clinicians, reduce burnout, maximize revenue potential, and drive better patient care outcomes.
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