Health Information Technology
The American Academy of Pediatrics acknowledges the changing landscape related to Health Information Technology (HIT) and the implications these changes have for pediatricians. Through the Child Health Informatics Center (CHIC) and Council on Clinical Information Technology (COCIT), the Academy is working to:
Increase awareness on the importance of HIT as it relates to improved quality and efficiency of pediatric care
HIT is a tool to provide safe, efficient, equitable, and quality pediatric care. The Academy is working to make providers aware of the building blocks of HIT and their importance to pediatric practice.
• Advocate for pediatricians' HIT needs
The CHIC works with AAP leadership and members at multiple levels of legislation and government to help ensure that pediatricians and children are represented in important decisions in regards to the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH), the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA), and future legislation, as well as to help ensure that Medicaid, CHIP, and HIT implementation also supports the overall plan for Child Health Informatics at the state and local levels.
• Provide member resources and education about electronic health record adoption and implementation
The CHIC is working to create a member resource library which is envisioned to provide information and technical assistance aimed to support pediatricians with EHR selection and implementation. Additionally, a series of resources have been developed about the availability of incentive funds for the adoption of EHR systems. To access these resources, please visit http://www.aap.org/informatics/AAPOverview.html.
• Support the translation and spread of knowledge for integration into electronic formats
To successfully use HIT to improve care and efficiency, there is a significant need for some of the Academy's current content to be translated into an electronic format so it can be integrated into different formats such as an electronic health record or web service. The CHIC is currently examining ways to support this translation and spread of knowledge.
• HIT in Your State and How to Get Involved
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) provided funding for the creation of Regional Extension Centers (RECs) across the country. The RECs serve as a local resource to physicians, particularly primary care physicians in small practices, as they select and implement an EHR. For more information on your REC, please visit http://www.aap.org/informatics/StateResource.html.
In addition to REC funding, states also received federal grant funding to:
- Develop plans for health information exchange within the state
- Improve Medicaid management systems
- Enhance the ability of immunization information systems (immunization registries) to exchange data with physicians' EHRs
We encourage you to work closely with the RECs to help them understand pediatric specific needs around EHR implementation and help them connect with AAP Chapter members in your state. Ideally, your REC should be a valuable resource for your chapter's members. If your chapter is involved in any of these activities, please contact us at chic@aap.org and share with us what is happening in your area. The CHIC would like to begin a dialogue with AAP chapters as federal programs continue to drive programs at the state level. Additionally, the CHIC will be working closely with the AAP Division of State Government Affairs to ensure that information is disseminated in a timely fashion and that pediatric needs are addressed in the creation of new programs.
Resources to get you started!
Please look for our column in Chapter Connections entitled "HIT Happenings" for continuous information about HIT as it relates to AAP Chapters.
If you are new to HIT and need additional support, AAP staff would be able to connect you with your local REC or identify a member from the COCIT, from your chapter, who can help you understand what HIT means in the day to day practice of pediatrics.
The Academy recently launched a new Web site to consolidate the AAP's HIT resources in one location. The new AAP Child Health Informatics Center Web site can be found at www.aap.org/chic.
We look forward to working closely with AAP chapters to ensure that pediatricians across the United States have access to the resources they need to provide the highest quality care to their patients. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at chic@aap.org.
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