New Datasets Unlock Deeper Insights into Health IT Adoption and Interoperability
Washington D.C. – A significant expansion of publicly available data is now empowering researchers, policymakers, and healthcare providers to better understand the evolving landscape of certified health IT. New releases from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provide unprecedented detail on hospital and clinician adoption, network participation, and the burgeoning health app ecosystem. This data surge promises to accelerate progress toward a more connected and efficient healthcare system.
The newly released datasets, part of the Digital Dividends blog series, offer a granular view of health IT utilization, revealing trends and opportunities for improvement.
Hospital and Clinician Adoption of Certified Health IT
The ONC, in coordination with CMS, has published 2023 data detailing the certified health IT systems used by hospitals and clinicians participating in key Medicare programs – Promoting Interoperability (PI) and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). These programs incentivize the use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology to meet specific performance requirements.
Currently, 2023 data is available for hospitals, with future releases planned. Clinicians benefit from a more extensive historical record, with data spanning 2019-2022 alongside the latest 2023 figures. These datasets uniquely merge program data with the ONC Certified Health IT Product List (CHPL), allowing for precise identification of the technologies employed by participating healthcare entities. Crucially, hospital and clinician identifiers are included, facilitating linkage with other healthcare datasets for more comprehensive analysis.
Expanding Health Information Networks: Hospital Participation
A collaborative effort between the ONC and the American Hospital Association (AHA) has yielded a valuable dataset on hospital participation in health information networks. Based on the AHA’s annual Information Technology Supplement, the data covers participation in regional, state, and local Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), national networks, EHR vendor networks, and increasingly, Qualified Health Information Networks® (QHINs) under the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement.
The newly available dataset pools responses from 2022-2024, encompassing over 3,000 non-federal acute care hospitals. While the data enables valuable linkages, it’s important to acknowledge potential non-response bias inherent in survey data. Researchers should consider this when drawing broad conclusions.
The Rise of Health Apps: A Growing Ecosystem
Since 2019, the ONC has been tracking the proliferation of health apps available through public marketplaces hosted by EHR companies and innovative startups. Initial research, published in PMC, established a baseline understanding of the growing number of companies integrating with EHRs.
Now, a comprehensive dataset covering apps and software applications from 2019-2025 is publicly accessible. This “snapshot” includes application names, developer information, and descriptions sourced directly from each marketplace. This data is already informing ongoing ONC studies, including research on digital health company experiences with APIs, as detailed in JAMIA.
What impact will this growing app ecosystem have on patient engagement and care coordination? And how can we ensure these apps are secure and interoperable with existing healthcare systems?
Frequently Asked Questions About Health IT Data
What is certified health IT and why is it important?
Certified health IT refers to electronic health record (EHR) technology that has been tested and certified to meet specific standards for interoperability, security, and functionality. It’s crucial for enabling seamless data exchange and improving care coordination.
How can I access these new health IT datasets?
All datasets mentioned in this article are available for download at healthit.gov/data. You’ll find quick stats, brief analyses, and links to more detailed information.
What is the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA)?
TEFCA is a set of principles and technical standards designed to enable nationwide interoperability of health information. It establishes a common floor for data exchange and promotes secure, reliable connectivity between health information networks.
What is the role of the AHA in collecting health IT data?
The American Hospital Association (AHA) conducts an annual survey of US hospitals, including a dedicated Information Technology Supplement that gathers data on health IT adoption and network participation. This data is a valuable resource for understanding hospital IT trends.
How can these datasets be used to improve healthcare?
These datasets can be used to identify gaps in health IT adoption, track progress toward interoperability goals, evaluate the impact of health IT on patient outcomes, and inform policy decisions.
These new data releases represent a significant step forward in our collective understanding of the health IT landscape. By making this information publicly available, the ONC and CMS are empowering stakeholders to drive innovation and improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare for all Americans.
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