Top News
AMIA's Comments on the ONC Interoperability Standards Advisory Annual Update
AMIA appreciated ONC’s efforts to solicit feedback on the 2023 Interoperability Standards Advisory in preparation for the tenth annual reference edition. Overall, AMIA encourages ONC to ensure that all stakeholders are consulted to broaden the of range and address interoperability needs in Health IT. Additionally, AMIA highlights the need to reduce documentation burden and that the ONC ISA can provide clarity on standards being utilized in this space and which standards could be consolidated to alleviate that burden.
View AMIA’s public comment letter to ONC.
AMIA Occupational Codes for Clinical Informatics Webinar
The AMIA Public Policy team hosted a webinar focusing on the progress for the clinical informatics industry formally through designated occupational codes. During this webinar, participants learned about:
- Background on the process and AMIA’s efforts on Standard Occupational Classifications (SOC) Codes with the Department of Labor
- AMIA’s initial application to the Occupational Information Network (O*NET)
- Potential wins for the clinical informatics industry
- How AMIA is planning for the future
- Opportunities for AMIA members and other organizations to get involved.
Regulatory
Public Comment on AHRQ's EPCs Research Protocol for Documentation Burden
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs) is inviting public comment on the research protocol for the Documentation Burden evidence report. Documentation burden has had a proven negative impact on healthcare and contributes to clinician burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and increased cognitive load. This AHRQ evidence report will evaluate several key aspects of documentation burden including “metrics, validity across settings and clinician populations, and patient perspectives” to guide potential strategies by health systems and standard-setting bodies for interventions and mitigation to alleviate burden and promote well-being in medicine.
Submit comments by October 27 at 11:59 pm ET.
National Stakeholder Call with the CMS Administrator
The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, and her leadership team will be hosting a National Stakeholder call on October 17, 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET. During this call, participants will gain an update on CMS’ recent accomplishments and how their initiatives are advancing CMS' Strategic Plan. Additionally, the call will provide an opportunity for participants to learn more about how to partner with CMS to help implement the Strategic Plan and key initiatives.
NIH Designates People with Disabilities as a Population with Health Disparities
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has formally designated people with disabilities as a population with health disparities and will support research on this initiative. This designation is one of several steps NIH is taking to address health disparities faced by people with disabilities and ensure their representation in NIH research. NIH issued a notice of funding opportunity calling for research applications focused on novel and innovative approaches and interventions that address the intersecting impact of disability, race and ethnicity, and socioeconomic status on healthcare access and health outcomes.
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
AMIA Board Approved the Public Policy North Stars
Guided by our public policy principles, AMIA undertook an effort to identify targeted topics around which to engage in proactive advocacy that leverage AMIA expertise. Last month all members were invited to participate in a survey to rank the topics. The Board then approved the following four ranked “North Star” priorities for AMIA’s policy work:
- Support the healthcare workforce by advancing the field of informatics and reducing burden on clinicians
- Advocate for evidence-based care and decision-support through informatics, including through machine-learning and AI
- Advocate for health IT solutions that ameliorate systemic biases and discrimination
- Advocating for ongoing funding for the field, including informatics research
The AMIA Public Policy team will now develop a policy advocacy strategy around these priorities and work closely with the public policy committee, other related groups, and members on strategy execution.
AMIA New Clinical Informatics Occupational Code Webpage
AMIA is pleased to announce we have authored a webpage dedicated to background and advocacy to include a unique occupational code relevant to medical informatics. The page also contains our recent efforts and what to anticipate in the coming years.
AMIA’s USCDI V4 Recommendations for USCDI V5 Draft
AMIA reflected on USCDI v4 final version to recommend edits to USCDI v5 draft anticipated to be released in January 2024. AMIA provided feedback for the seven Data Classes (and adding one new Data Class) and ten Data Elements.
Read AMIA's entire recommendations list for ONC's USCDI v5 Draft.
NIH RFI on Updating the NIH Mission Statement
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced a Request for Information (RFI) inviting suggestions on the proposed update to their mission statement. The input NIH is seeking to the new mission statement includes, but is not limited to, feedback on the statement’s reflection of the goals and objectives in the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-2025 and suggestions for specific language that could be added to the proposed mission statement and why.
It currently reads as:
- “To seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.”
The proposed mission statement:
- “To seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and to apply that knowledge to optimize health and prevent or reduce illness for all people.”
Responses to NIH must be submitted by November 24 at 11:59 pm ET. Learn more about the RFI and how to submit.
NAM “Change Maker” Campaign
AMIA is joining the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) “Change Maker” Campaign as a follow up to their Clinician Well-Being Collaborative. This public campaign will celebrate all the ways organizations are institutionalizing well-being as a long-term value across the nation. AMIA was an early endorser of the NAM’s National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being.
All Change Makers will build on their well-being efforts by affirming their commitment to Priority Area 6 of the National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being: "Institutionalize Well-Being as a Long-Term Value." Additionally, NAM Change Makers will have opportunities to shape Collaborative activities, such as the inaugural National Health Worker Well-Being Day in 2024 and other Collaborative events. All Change Makers will receive public recognition of their role through a 2023-2024 Change Maker for Health Workforce Well-Being Badge that can be displayed on websites, social media, and other promotional materials.
Given AMIA’s ongoing position on improving the well-being of the health workforce by reducing documentation burden with the lead efforts by the 25x5 Task Force, we are excited to join!
Learn more about the “Change Maker” Campaign.
Around the Web
- Enhancing Public Access to the Results of Research Supported by the Department of Health and Human Services; nationalacademies.org
- Thursday, November 30, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET
- Friday December 1, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm ET
- FDA Public and Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative Workshop to Enhance Clinical Study Diversity
- November 29-30, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm ET
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.