Another Step Closer

Improvements to the safety, quality, efficiency and the cost of health have entered a new phase through the further expansion of eHealth technologies.  The Massachusetts eHealth Institute with support from, MassHealth, the Health IT Council and the HIE-HIT Advisory Committee, has successfully submitted the first draft of the 2011 Health Information Exchange (HIE) Strategic and Operational Plan to the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for review.  This unprecedented collaborative approach ensures the ongoing success of transforming our health care system in Massachusetts.  MeHI,  as the State designated entity for HIE, will concentrate on ensuring that all providers, patients and other stakeholders will be able to access information and services through the statewide HIE infrastructure, as it becomes available next year.

The newly submitted Plan builds upon work that began last year with the approved 2010 HIE Strategic and Operational Plan.  MeHI, in a combined effort with other thought leaders, is proposing to develop a comprehensive approach that will guide the efforts of procurement, connection and optimization of the HIE for all Massachusetts healthcare providers, consumers and other public and private stakeholders. 

The education of providers, consumers and patients on the benefits of using health IT for better health outcomes and improved safety, will be at the forefront of our work efforts. MeHI will also continue to work with vendors to ensure that their systems will connect to the HIE and to help providers fulfill stages 1 through 3 of Meaningful Use. MeHI has reached a new juncture and our continued work with providers and patients will help to ensure that technology is used in such a way, as to maximize efficiency while delivering quality care to the patient.

This new plan represents a major step forward in reaching our goal of safer, better, more efficient and cost effective care through widespread adoption and use of health IT in Massachusetts.  A comforting thought as we look ahead to 2012.