Adoption Of A National System For Electronic Use And Exchange Of Health Information
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has released its 2018 Report to Congress. As of 2015, 96% of nonfederal acute care hospitals and 78% of office-based physicians adopted certified health IT, however, hurdles to progress still remain. For example, many certified health IT products lack capabilities that allow for greater innovation in how health information can be securely accessed and easily shared with appropriate members of the care team. Such innovation is more common in other industries. Also, lack of transparent expectations for data sharing and burdensome experiences for health care providers limit the return on investment for health care providers and the value patients are able to gain from using certified health IT. Information not always is accessible across systems and by all end users, such as patients, health care providers, and payers, in the market in productive ways. For example, despite the individual right to access health information about themselves established by the HIPAA Privacy Rule, patients often lack access to their own health information, which hinders their ability to manage their health and shop for medical care at lower prices. Health care providers often lack access to patient data at the point of care, particularly when multiple health care providers maintain different pieces of data, own different systems, or use health IT solutions purchased from different developers. Also, payers often lack access to clinical data on groups of covered individuals to assess the value of services provided to their customers. The report can be obtained here.
Current Status And Response To The Global Obesity Pandemic
On October 9, 2018, the Roundtable on Obesity Solutions, held a public workshop in Washington, DC entitled Current Status and Response to the Global Obesity Pandemic.” The workshop examined the status of the global obesity pandemic and explored approaches used to manage the problem in different settings around the world. The “Proceedings of a Workshop In Brief” highlights presentations that discussed the importance of understanding the obesity epidemic in global context and shared perspectives on the implications of obesity as a global problem for prevention and treatment efforts in the United States, with an emphasis on reducing disparities.
A report was released on January 11, 2019. It can be obtained here.
How Innovation Will Blur Traditional Health Care Boundaries
According to the firm Deloitte, by 2040, health care as known today will no longer exist. A shift will occur from “health care” to “health.” Disease never will be completely eliminated, but through science, data, and technology, it can be identified earlier, proactive interventions can be implemented, and its progression can be understood better. The future will be focused on wellness and managed by companies that assume new roles to drive value in the transformed health ecosystem. Driven by greater data connectivity; interoperable and open, secure platforms; and increasing consumer engagement, 10 archetypes are likely to emerge and will replace and redefine today’s traditional life sciences and health care roles to power the future of health. The 10 archetypes will fall into three distinct, but interconnected, categories: Data and platforms will be the foundational infrastructure that will generate the insights for decision making. Care enablement will be connectors, financers, and regulators that help make the industry’s “engine” run. Well-being and care delivery will be the most health-focused of the three groupings, consisting of care facilities and health communities, both virtual and physical. The report can be obtained here.
More Articles from TRENDS February 2019
THE PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS
Suggests a link between chemical elements and the provision of health care services in the context of social determinants. Read More
PRESIDENT’S CORNER—ASAHP MEMBER FOCUS
Gregory Frazer, Dean and Professor, Covey College of Allied Health Professions at the University of South Alabama, is featured in this issue of TRENDS. Read More
OPEN SEASON FOR LEGISLATION
The 116th Congress is faced with the challenge of identifying areas of bipartisan agreement in order to pass meaningful health legislation. Read More
HEALTH REFORM DEVELOPMENTS
Discusses the fate of the Cadillac tax in the Affordable Care Act, short-term Association Health Plans in relation to state regulations, and the impact of primary care on reducing health care costs and patient outcomes. Read More
DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Indicates a mechanism for reducing college student debt and the results of a request for comments on a proposed rule involving Title IX provisions for campus sexual assault allegations. Read More
QUICK STAT (SHORT, TIMELY, AND TOPICAL)
Record Number Of Novel Medical Devices Approved By The FDA In 2018
Nearly One-Quarter Of Antibiotic Prescriptions Filled Are Unnecessary
Enhanced Toy Dog Robot Includes An Ability To Learn From Its Owners
Electrical Stimulation Of The Brain During Surgery Produces Immediate Laughter And Calm Read More
IDENTIFICATION, EVALUATION, AND COMPARISON OF HEALTH DEVICES
Provides information about the explosion of health devices in the marketplace aimed at consumers and challenges that confront health professionals attempting to select appropriate technologies that meet the requirements of specific applications for a clinical trial, research study, or a digital health service. Read More
PUTTING PATIENTS FIRST AND DISPARITIES RESEARCH
Refers to disparities in language‐appropriate services in the in-patient hospital setting. Read More