HHS Launches New Blog: Health IT Buzz

HHS Launches New Blog: Health IT Buzz

Washington DC – Dr. David Blumenthal, HHS’ National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, has launched the blog Health IT Buzz, that will allow readers to learn more about health information technology (health IT) and provide a space for consumers, providers, policymakers, and technology experts to share their ideas and concerns regarding health IT. The blog is available at http://healthit.hhs.gov/blog/onc.
The blog will be a central place to share ideas about how to use health IT and exchange electronic health information to improve outcomes and reduce costs in our health care system. The recent commitment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support the meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) has accelerated the pace of conversation.
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology’s activities that will be discussed on Health IT Buzz include:
• Activities to advance standards to achieve interoperability, which will ensure accurate and widespread exchange of health information;
• Evaluation of new options for the certification of electronic health records;
• Exploration of health IT related regulatory and guidance initiatives to protect the privacy and security of health information; and,
• An assessment of critical privacy and security issues.