The Chicago-based National Alliance for Health Information Technology (Alliance) is participating in a project for the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) (Washington) to develop consensus-based definitions for key health information technology terms.
As a first step in the definitions project, organizations may submit definitions for EHR, EMR, PHR, HIE and RHIO for consideration by November 2 at www.definitions.nahit.org. The Alliance says it will simultaneously conduct a literature search to identify and categorize all known definitions of the terms.
To ensure broad participation, volunteer-based work groups will be formed that represent all healthcare segments, says the Alliance. Submissions for work group candidates will be accepted between November 5 and November 16, 2007 at www.definitions.nahit.org.
In addition, the company contends public forums will be convened to gather input in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Houston in December, January and February. Public comments also will be accepted throughout that period at www.definitions.nahit.org
