Health Information Compliance Alert

There’s never been a more critical need for informed IT staff, data sharing, and interoperability than now as the nation attempts to halt the spread of COVID-19.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) health IT center, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), works to help providers, suppliers, and organizations improve interoperability by promoting new technologies, performing studies, and encouraging innovation. So it should come as no surprise that the agency is working in tandem with others under the HHS umbrella to connect those fighting on the front lines and track the virus.

“ONC has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to share various resources for reporting and tracking COVID-19, as well as general clinical guidance to the health IT community and healthcare providers,” relates online guidance.

“Health IT now plays a crucial role in the collecting and reporting of COVID-19 data. Additionally, electronic health information exchange can facilitate effective strategies to combat COVID-19,” ONC says.

In addition to using health IT to track the disease, ONC is assisting with surveillance, public health efforts, clinical studies and reporting, lab testing, and workplace safety.

Review ONC guidance and assistance at www.healthit.gov/coronavirus.