Health Information Technology Summit: Overview

Health Information Technology Summit - The Leading Forum on the International Development and Dispersion of Electronic Health Records Systems as a First Step to the Implementation of a National Health Information Infrastructure

Overview

HIT Summit Sponsoring Organizations

The HIT Summit is sponsored by the eHealth Initiative, www.eHealthInitiative.org, and co sponsored by the organizations listed in the home page. The HIT Summit is not an official event of the Department of Health and Human Services or any other agency of government.

HIT Background

Health information technology is at the nexus of domestic and global efforts to improve healthcare for patients. Clear and compelling evidence is emerging that health information technology can play a critical role in addressing the challenges faced by the U.S. healthcare system including an aging population with growing chronic care needs, healthcare cost increases, persistent public health threats, dissatisfied clinicians abandoning the practice of medicine, a shortage of nurses, access problems and patients demanding greater accountability.

The federal government and private industry have responded to this evidence by putting forth a number of initiatives-both national and community-based-to support the adoption of health information technology (HIT), clear usage barriers and provide upfront funding and properly align financial incentives. The unveiling of the nation's first strategic framework report on a ten-year initiative to develop electronic health records and other uses of health information technology by HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson and the National Health Information Technology Coordinator David Brailer, MD, PhD and HIT-related provisions in the Medicare Modernization

Act of 2003 are just two examples of the increasing momentum for HIT adoption in healthcare. Increasing interest is also emerging from nations around the world regarding the contributions of HIT and a health information infrastructure in supporting improved health and healthcare.

Summit Goals and Who Should Attend

Both the policy and the practical aspects of implementing health information technology in America and around the globe will be examined from a multi-stakeholder perspective at the Health Information Technology Summit 2004. The Summit will provide the valuable opportunity to interact with over a thousand government and private sector healthcare leaders and information technology experts and will feature cutting-edge information on Congressional, Administration, private sector and innovative global initiatives related to HIT.

The Summit will be comprised of a set of plenary sessions that will feature Federal Agency heads from both the U.S. and abroad, Congressional speakers, and private sector leaders interspersed with break-out sessions focused on the practical aspects of technical, organizational, clinical and financial challenges associated with the implementation of HIT. Break-out sessions will be organized into a set of seven following tracks, designed to respond to the unique challenges of each of the following stakeholder groups:

Clinicians
Hospitals and Other Healthcare Providers
Health Plans
Employers and Healthcare Purchasers
Community-Based Collaborations
Public Health
Pharma, Biotechnology and Devices

HIT Summit Objectives

The Summit is designed to cover the following topics:

An overview of United States and global national health information technology policy from Administration and Congressional leaders.

Policy changes in the Medicare and Medicaid programs that will further the use of HIT to address quality and safety challenges.

Other nations' real-world experiences in implementing an electronic health information infrastructure, including those in the U.K.

Financial incentives programs currently being delivered by employers, coalitions, and health plans that are designed to improve performance and HIT adoption.

Community-based collaboratives that are engaged in health information exchange to support better health and healthcare.

Real-world case studies that highlight strategies for selecting, purchasing, financing, implementing, and maintaining clinical applications-in the large IDN, community hospital and small to medium practice environments.

Health plan, employer and healthcare purchaser experiences in leveraging HIT for chronic care management and performance improvement.

Case studies of provider, health plan and employer innovators who have used HIT to engage consumers.

Case studies from public health leaders who have innovatively used HIT and health information exchange to improve public health surveillance, management and response.

Role of HIT in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical research.

Impact of HIT policy changes on the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries.