The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (hereafter ASTP) is at the forefront of the administration’s health IT efforts and is a resource to the entire health system to support the adoption of health information technology and the promotion of nationwide, standards-based health information exchange to improve health care. ASTP is organizationally located within the Office of the Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Follow them @HHS_TechPolicy. Sign up for their email updates. Here is what they are doing and reporting.
News & Announcements
New TEFCA Videos and Resources Available
Today, it’s easier than ever for healthcare providers, patients, public health agencies, health information networks, payers, and others engaged in health care to appropriately access and use health records. This is thanks to the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement, known as TEFCA. ASTP created new educational materials to help explain TEFCA and its benefits for all audiences. New videos, info sheets, and data sheets are available on the redesigned TEFCA webpage.
Standards Adoption Among Health Information Exchange Organizations
ASTP recently surveyed health information exchange organizations (HIOs) nationwide to assess which content and terminology standards they are using most frequently to send and receive data. ASTP also analyzed the extent to which HIOs made USCDI-adopted data elements available and how they align with USCDI versions 1-4. The survey results are reflected in our latest ASTP data brief, outlining the share of HIOs in 2023 that electronically sent and received data using these standards, and the range of USCDI-adopted data elements they made available to participating organizations. Read the data brief.
2024 Draft Federal FHIR Action Plan
As a reminder, we are seeking feedback on the recently published 2024 Draft Federal FHIR® Action Plan. The plan was developed to help guide federal agency investment decisions in and adoption of the HL7® FHIR standard. Federal agencies and partners will be encouraged to use the draft plan to identify and address common needs, coordinate among fellow agencies and the broader community, and reuse and advance proven capabilities. Please submit your feedback by Monday, November 25. Instructions for submitting comments are available in the draft action plan. Learn more.
Data Brief #74: Laboratory Interoperability Through Health Information Exchange Organizations
Interoperable laboratory data are critical to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of laboratory test results for clinical decision-making and public health surveillance and monitoring. Interoperable exchange of data has also been shown to reduce costs and improve efficiency by limiting the ordering of potentially redundant tests.(1) Yet ensuring interoperability of laboratory data is a complex matter. Over 14 billion laboratory test results are ordered annually, and the flow of data cuts across many different entities and systems, and several health agencies are involved with its oversight.(2) Health information exchange organizations (HIEs/HIOs) provide a means to electronically share health care data, including laboratory results, across a given geographical area with HIOs’ participants, which can include a diverse array of health care providers as well as public health entities. Laboratories are key data contributors to HIOs and understanding their participation in these efforts provides a window into the completeness of data available to HIO participants. This data brief uses data from a 2023 national survey of HIOs to provide insights into lab participation in HIOs and how impediments in access to data by laboratories may limit the completeness of laboratory data made available to HIOs.
Events
Listening Session: USCDI+ Cancer Clinical Trials Matching and immune-related Adverse Events
When: Thursday, November 7, 2024
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET
Register for this event.
Join ASTP and the National Cancer Institute for a listening session on the USCDI+ Cancer Clinical Trials Matching (CTM) and immune-related Adverse Events (irAE) draft datasets. USCDI+ Cancer Clinical Trials Matching (CTM)The USCDI+ Cancer CTM dataset aims to establish a standardized set of data elements reported in a consistent format. By focusing on key screening data, this dataset will support generating a list of potential trials for which a patient may be eligible. This will streamline the matching process, making trial matching more equitable and accessible for all patients, and enabling patients, healthcare providers, and researchers to engage more effectively in cancer treatment decisions and care planning. USCDI+ Cancer immune-related Adverse Events (irAE)The immune-related Adverse Events (irAEs) use case within the USCDI+ Cancer initiative aims to significantly enhance the accuracy and reliability of detecting signals for immune-related adverse events using real-world data. This effort focuses on defining and refining standardized structured data elements that are crucial for identifying signals associated with common immune-related checkpoints for participants in clinical trials.
ASTP Annual Meeting
When: December 4-5, 2024
Where: Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington DC
Event Page
Hashtag: #ASTP2024
Register for this event.
The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy Annual Meeting is back in Washington, DC on December 4-5, 2024. Join them for two days of conversation, learning, and networking. You’ll hear about the key issues at the intersection of health care, public health, policymaking, and technology through a variety of keynote speakers and mainstage, breakout, and education sessions as we reflect on 20 years and look ahead to the future of better health enabled by health IT.
Resources
21st Century Cures Act Summary
The 21st Century Cures Act, signed December 13, 2016, by President Obama, promotes and funds the acceleration of research into preventing and curing serious illnesses; accelerates drug and medical device development; attempts to address the opioid abuse crisis; and tries to improve mental health service delivery. The Act includes a number of provisions that push for greater interoperability, adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and support for human services programs.
Certification of Health IT
The ONC Health IT Certification Program (Certification Program) ensures that Certified Health Information Technology meets the technological capability, functionality, and security requirements adopted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI)
The United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) is a standardized set of health data classes and constituent data elements for nationwide, interoperable health information exchange. Review the USCDI Fact Sheet to learn more.
TEFCA
The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) establishes a universal policy and technical floor for nationwide interoperability; simplifies connectivity for organizations to securely exchange information to improve patient care, enhance the welfare of populations, and generate health care value; and enables individuals to gather their healthcare information. The Common Agreement establishes the infrastructure model and the governing approach for users in different networks to securely share basic clinical information under commonly agreed-to expectations and rules.
Read
From the Health IT Buzz Blog – Learn more about health information technology (health IT) from HHS’s Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP). Check out the latest blog posts:
-
- IB the API, I think not
- Getting Real about Information Blocking and APIs
- Increase in Exchange of Vaccination Data in Nebraska, Powered by the STAR HIE Program
- Setting Our Sights Toward a Healthier, More Innovative, Data-Driven Future
- The Global Digital Health Partnership: Engaging Individuals for Worldwide Wellness
- Introducing the 2024 Draft Federal FHIR® Action Plan
- ASTP Partnership with HL7 Advances Standards Development
- New Data Available on How Physicians Experience Interoperability
- HHS Making Progress on Department-wide Alignment of Health IT Investments
- ONC’s Next Chapter
ONC Interoperability Pledge
Companies that provide 90 percent of electronic health records used by hospitals nationwide as well as the top five largest health care systems in the country have agreed to implement three core commitments: Consumer Access, No Blocking/Ensuring Transparency, and Standards. The ONC (@ONC_HealthIT) wants vendors to sign a pledge. Is your vendor pledging? Find out who is on the list.