Health Information Infrastructure Act for US

A National Health Information Infrastructure Act has been introduced into the US Congress to support a national drive for interoperability between different healthcare IT systems.

The Act will authorise a National Health Information Officer to work with public and private healthcare entities to develop a strategic plan to:
• co-ordinate multiple public and private health information initiatives;
• accelerate the adoption of voluntary national communications and data standards and;
• implement a national health information structure.

Congresswoman, Nancy Smith, who introduced the Act said: “The information systems that give 24/7 access to your bank account can be adapted to transform American healthcare into a 21st century system. Development of such a system is being impeded by the lack of comprehensive standards to assure interoperability.”

“All systems must be able to communicate with each other. Within that framework, a health information technology infrastructure can develop and medicine can advance to the next level of quality care.”

Promoters of the Act say that the lack of a national information infrastructure racks up tremendous costs in financial and quality terms. Examples cited include $5.4 billion spent because tests or second opinions cannot be found and the cost of known medical errors estimated at between $29.4 billion and $35.4 billion.

They also say that the infrastructure will enable patients to access their medical records and other health information, empowering them to become more active partners in decisions over their own health.

The Act is supported by several US e-health organisations including the Healthcare Management and Information Systems Society and the American Health Information Management Association.