The collaboration between the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) and Health Level Seven International (HL7) is crucial in advancing healthcare standards and promoting interoperability in health IT products. Alex Kontur, from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), emphasized the importance of ensuring that these standards align with federal policy goals and enable developers to create innovative and interoperable solutions.
The partnership between ASTP and HL7, which began in 2015, has been instrumental in the development and adoption of key health IT standards. Through cooperative agreements, ASTP has funded initiatives like the development of the Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture (C-CDA) and the FHIR US Core IG (US Core). These standards play a critical role in facilitating the exchange of health information and improving the quality of care delivery.
One of the noteworthy projects supported by ASTP is the Gender Harmony Project, led by HL7. This initiative aims to address the challenges associated with capturing and exchanging sex and gender information in health IT systems. By leveraging HL7 standards, the Gender Harmony Project seeks to promote the use of consistent and comprehensive data elements for sex and gender identity, ultimately enhancing the quality and inclusivity of patient care.
Overall, the collaboration between ASTP and HL7 underscores the importance of standardization in the healthcare industry. By supporting the development of interoperable health IT products and initiatives like the Gender Harmony Project, ASTP is playing a pivotal role in advancing the use of technology to improve patient outcomes and drive innovation in healthcare delivery.
FAQs:
What is the role of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) in healthcare standards development?
– The ASTP plays a key role in ensuring that healthcare standards align with federal policy goals and support the development of interoperable health IT products. Through collaborative agreements with organizations like HL7, ASTP funds initiatives that promote the adoption of critical standards in the industry.
What is the Gender Harmony Project, and why is it significant in healthcare standards development?
– The Gender Harmony Project, supported by ASTP and HL7, addresses the challenges associated with capturing and exchanging sex and gender information in health IT systems. By leveraging HL7 standards, this initiative aims to promote consistency and inclusivity in the representation of sex and gender identity data, ultimately improving patient care delivery.
Conclusion:
The collaboration between the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) and Health Level Seven International (HL7) is essential in advancing healthcare standards and promoting interoperability in the industry. By supporting initiatives like the development of key standards and the Gender Harmony Project, ASTP is driving innovation and enhancing the quality of care delivery through the use of technology. Moving forward, continued cooperation between ASTP and HL7 will be crucial in shaping the future of healthcare IT and improving patient outcomes.