Best Information
Quick access to accurate health information technology (IT) guides better diagnostic and treatment decisions and can improve the quality, efficiency and safety of patient care.
The benefits of IT are far-reaching. Patients and their doctors can weigh treatment options by consulting an electronic health record for medical history, prescriptions, visits to other health providers, and laboratory tests all in one place.
Health IT allows for better coordination of care between providers, saves money by streamlining processes and reducing duplicative records and tests, and keeps patients safer by providing a more complete picture of their health.
Ideas for Change
Encourage All Doctors and Hospitals to Participate
Allow hospitals and providers to share information technology and require the adoption of specific elements to speed up innovations. Employ incentives and direct funding to ensure inclusivity of those serving our most vulnerable populations.
Adopt Universal Standards for Electronic Health Records and Personal Health Records
Encourage the creation of "interoperable" standards to maximize the potential of technology.
Create Unique Patient Identifier Technology
Inspire the private sector to create identifiers so individuals on an "opt-in" basis can securely access their electronic health records from anywhere in the world.
Extend Information Technology to More Hospitals
Create a national information technology investment for doctors and hospitals most in financial need.
Keep up the Pace
Conduct research to help develop the next generation of health information technology.
Focus on Communities
Establish roadmaps to adopting IT that are tied to community health and that focus on the most useful and proven applications.
Action Steps
Learn more about electronic medical records (also called electronic health records).
Ask your health provider whether they use electronic medical records.
Links
Health Information Technology
National Resource Center for Health Information Technology