The Ann Arbor, Mich.-based College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) has submitted comments on the proposed Federal Health IT Strategic Plan, supporting its goals, but also seeking refinements that will increase the likelihood for - effective and widespread adoption of information technology by healthcare providers.
Specifically, CHIME asks the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to provide standardized approaches and to allow sufficient time to encourage the adoption of electronic health records systems and supporting technologies by providers.
The professional organization’s comments highlighted the need to ensure confidence and trust in health IT, particularly in facilitating the exchange of patient information to support care delivery. CHIME recognizes the need for patient confidentiality and privacy protections, but the comments detail the need to balance those concerns with the need to exchange health information when necessary.