Top News
ONC Announces TEFCA
Recently, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and their Recognized Coordinating Entity (RCE), the Sequoia Project, announced the publication of the Trusted Exchange Framework and the Common Agreement (TEFCA), marking the beginning of the implementation phase. The main goal of TEFCA is to establish a universal floor of interoperability across the country by creating simplified nationwide connectivity for health agencies, health care providers, health information networks, health plans, individuals, public, and others. Also available is the TEFCA Health Level Seven (HL7®) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource (FHIR®) Roadmap, which outlines how TEFCA will accelerate the adoption of FHIR-based exchange across the industry. For more information, see ONC's Health IT Buzz Blog post or view the press release.
Administration
AHRQ's Annual Report on Digital Healthcare Research Program
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently released its 2020 report on improving healthcare through AHRQ’s Digital Healthcare Research Program. The report highlights efforts to improve the delivery of healthcare at the system and organizational level. The goal is to build a research base that can inform the design and implementation of digital health systems to improve healthcare quality, safety, and equity.
White House OSTP Issues RFI on Equity In Treatment
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) seeks to develop digital health care services that emphasize equity in treatment. Specifically, OSTP seeks information and comments about how digital health technologies are used, or could be used in the future, to improve community health, individual wellness, and health equity. See the Federal Register notice for more information and instructions on how to comment.
HHS Releases Patient Safety Report
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with AHRQ, recently released a report on strategies to improve patient safety, including using analytic approaches in patient safety research, measurement, and practice improvement to monitor risk; implementing evidence-based practices into real-world settings through clinically useful tools and infrastructure; encouraging the development of learning health systems that integrate continuous learning and improvement in day-to-day operations; and encouraging the use of patient safety strategies outlined in the National Action Plan by the National Steering Committee for Patient Safety. Access the final report.
ISA Reference Edition Update
ONC recently released the 8th annual update of the Interoperability Standards Advisory (ISA) Reference Edition. Notable updates to this edition include improvements to COVID-19 reporting, laboratory categorization, ePrescribing updates, FHIR for Public Health Reporting, and increased support for SDOH & Health Equity.
ONC Project US@ Technical Specification and Companion Guide Released
Final Version 1.0 of Project US@ Technical Specification and Companion Guide is available. Patient matching and specifically how patient addresses are represented is an essential building block to the interoperability of patient data across health care. Learn more.
ONC Seeks Public Comment on Electronic Prior Authorization Standards, Implementation Specifications, and Certain Criteria
The ONC has released a Request for Information seeking input on electronic prior authorization standards, implementation specifications and certification criteria that could be adopted within the ONC Health IT Certification Program. Comments will be accepted until March 25, 2022.
Legislation & Politics
Congress will reconvene January 31, 2022. The federal budget and appropriations processes will be key topics of consideration.
Around the Web
- 2022 ONC All-Virtual Annual Meeting
- Patient Engagement in the Design and Conduct of Medical Device Clinical Studies
- Principles for Selecting, Developing, Modifying, and Adapting Patient-Reported Outcome Instruments for Use in Medical Device Evaluation
AMIA’s Washington Download is your source for health informatics policy news and information from around the Beltway, covering action from the Hill, the Administration and important AMIA collaborators.