CHICAGO (December 12, 2005) - As the nation embraces the integration of health information technology (HIT) to improve patient safety and positive clinical outcomes, tracking current health IT initiatives across the country becomes even more crucial. Meeting that need, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), in collaboration with the Center for Health Information and Decision Systems (CHIDS), at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland has developed the HIMSS HIT Dashboard.
The HIT Dashboard gives policy makers, industry leaders and vendors a snapshot of major HIT initiatives throughout the United States and its territories. The extensive dashboard database provides a color-coded, easy-to-read visual interface that tracks more than 500 state, federal, and private HIT initiatives and fulfills the demand for a complete and interactive database of information.
Projects currently being tracked through the partnership include:
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) HIT Grants
- Doctors Office Quality Information Technology (DOQ-IT)
- Medicare Health Support Program (MHS) formerly Chronic Care Improvement Program
- Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs)
- Health Information Exchanges (HIEs)
- Bridges to Excellence
- Private HIT Projects
The HIT Dashboard represents HIMSS continued dedication to support the HIT industry, state and federal law makers and the vendor community wherever possible, said David Clark, HIMSS director of integration and interoperability. With the interest in and growth of RHIOs and other healthcare information technology efforts in place nationwide, HIMSS quickly recognized that industry leaders must have access to current data.
The team at CHIDS began collecting data over a year ago with HIMSS gathering data on RHIOs in early 2005. The organizations learned of each others work and collaborated to streamline efforts and create the Web-based HIT Dashboard. When the affiliation was finalized, CHIDS had already compiled the original database, which is referenced by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the HHS' Commission on Systemic Interoperability report, published on Oct. 25.
We are extremely pleased to partner with HIMSS to release the HIT Dashboard. HIMSS industry presence and reputation, and CHIDS research interests and intellectual resources make us a great team, said Corey Angst, project leader and associate director of CHIDS.
With the HIT Dashboard, HIMSS plans to provide a comprehensive resource for organizations needing timely access to information about HIT programs in the United States and its territories. This has been an exciting project from its inception. It isnt often that you are able to observe and participate in a transformation as it is occurring. The activity in the HIT field right now is remarkable, said Ritu Agarwal, director of CHIDS.
Access to the HIT Dashboard is available in three versions, all of which can be accessed through the HIT Dashboard site at www.hitdashboard.com. They are:
- a free, public version denoting only the project icons on the map
- a HIMSS member-only version listing the project name and location
- a paid version providing all collected data for each of the 500+ projects
The collaboration between CHIDS and HIMSS illustrates how industry and academic thought leaders can work together to achieve the overall goal of interoperable electronic health records through timely business intelligence, said Carla Smith, NCMN, FHIMSS, executive vice president of HIMSS. The HIT Dashboard offers our members and the entire industry an opportunity to monitor the progress of HIT adoption and learn from the success or failure of current initiatives.
For more information on the HIT Dashboard, contact dclark@himss.org at HIMSS.
About CHIDS
The Center for Health Information and Decision Systems (CHIDS) at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland is an academia-led effort with collaboration from industry and government affiliates, designed to research, analyze, and recommend solutions to challenges surrounding the introduction and integration of information and decision technologies into the health care system. Through mutually-beneficial partnerships, CHIDS conducts rigorous research, disseminates information, manages knowledge, and coordinates collaborations among concerned stakeholders. In addition, CHIDS serves as a focal point for thought leadership around the topic of health information and decision systems. Visit www.smith.umd.edu/chids for more information.
About HIMSS
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is the healthcare industry's membership organization exclusively focused on providing leadership for the optimal use of healthcare information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of human health. Founded in 1961 with offices in Chicago, Washington D.C., and other locations across the country, HIMSS represents approximately 17,000 individual members and more than 275 member corporations that employ more than 1 million people. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare public policy and industry practices through its advocacy, educational and professional development initiatives designed to promote information and management systems contributions to ensuring quality patient care. Visit www.himss.org for more information.
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About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.