HHS Sec. Highlights HIT Contributions

The American Health Information Community (AHIC, Washington) — a federal advisory committee established in 2005 to offer recommendations to HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt to accelerate the adoption of HIT — formally concluded its work. Some of the accomplishments resulting from AHIC’s recommendations include:

• The development of 26 priority areas to serve as the basis for the identification of standards, certification and networking of health information systems.

• The development of a standards-based certification process for ensuring functionality, security and interoperability in electronic health records supported by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology.

• The identification of needed outreach and incentives to spur the adoption of EHRs.