Top News
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Releases Draft USCDI Version 4
The Draft United States Core Data for Interoperability, Version 4 (Draft USCDI v4) was released in mid-January. With the publication of Draft USCDI v4, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) proposes to add 20 data elements across one new data class (Facility Information) and eight existing data classes. The USCDI is an annually updated standardized set of health data classes and data elements developed and adopted by ONC to serve as a baseline for health information exchange and inform interoperable health IT implementation. Review Draft USCDIv4 and submit comments here by April 17.
FDA Clinical Decision Support Software Guidance
Deputy Director Mr. Brendan O’Leary of the Digital Health Center of Excellence at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health presented on the Clinical Decision Support Software, Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff. He provided a general overview of the CDS Guidance to educate and gain further awareness. Additionally, he clarified the FDA’s existing digital health policies continuing to apply software functions that meet the definition of a device, including those intended for use by patients or caregivers. Watch the recording.
Administration
Federal Register Notice: Initial Proposals for Updating OMB's Race and Ethnicity Statistical Standards
The Office of the Chief Statistician seeks input on suggested revisions to OMB’s statistical standards for collecting and reporting race and ethnicity data across Federal agencies (Statistical Policy Directive (SPD) No. 15). The stated goals of SPD 15 are to ensure the comparability of race and ethnicity across Federal datasets and to maximize the quality of that data by ensuring that the format, language, and procedures for collecting the data are consistent and based on rigorous evidence. Review the standards and submit comments by April 12.
Webinars and Virtual Workshops – FDA and AHRQ
Application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Precision Medicine
February 17, 10:00 AM - 4:15 PM ET
The Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with the University of Maryland Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (M-CERSI), will host a one-day virtual public workshop to review current methodologies, opportunities, challenges, and best practices to address the rapidly changing landscape of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the setting of drug development and precision medicine.
Leveraging Digital Health Technologies to Address the Needs of Underserved Populations
February 28, 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM ET
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will host a webinar to address reducing health disparities and improving the quality of care for diverse patients through innovative digital health interventions. Topics to be discussed include: the potential impact of telepsychiatry consultations with automated interpreting on mental health services for patients with limited English proficiency; how an innovative artificial intelligence communication system can identify and mitigate health risks for young African American women prior to pregnancy; and how using an electronic social needs screening tool in the emergency department can improve referrals for patients.
AHRQ Views Blog: Initiative Launched to Train a New Generation of Learning Health System Scientist
An AHRQ collaboration with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) will invest up to $50 million over five years to support Learning Health System Embedded Scientist Training and Research (LHS E-StaR) Centers. Access more information about the initiative and apply by March 24.
Legislation and Politics
Select 118th Senate Committee Positions
Senate Finance Committee Chair: Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Senate Finance Health Subcommittee Chair: Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair: Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). The following Senators will serve on the Appropriations Committee in the 118th Congress: Senators Durbin, Reed, Tester, Shaheen, Merkley, Coons, Schatz, Baldwin, Murphy, Manchin, Van Hollen, Heinrich, Peters; Collins, McConnell, Murkowski, Graham, Moran, Hoeven, Boozman, Capito, Kennedy, Hyde-Smith, Hagerty, Britt, Rubio, Fischer.
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chair: Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT)
Subcommittee assignments are pending.
Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
Around the Web
- QuickStats: Percentage of Persons Who Used Telemedicine During the Past 12 Months, by Age Group — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2021; CDC
- Congress Told HHS to Set Up a Health Data Network in 2006. The Agency Still Hasn’t; Kaiser Health News
- Interoperability among hospitals is improving; HealthExec
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.