ONCHIT seeks help to define key healthcare IT terms

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) has asked the National Alliance for Health Information Technology to help the create and secure definitions of key health IT terms.

Organizations can submit definitions at the National Alliance for Health IT website (http://definitions.nahit.org/definitions.php) concerning the key health terms until Nov. 2.

“We are taking conscious steps to ensure we develop consensus-based terminologies that become tools for transforming healthcare,” said Scott Wallace, president and CEO of the Alliance. “We also think this project can set a precedent for other initiatives that demand broad healthcare industry participation and adoption.”

BearingPoint, a McLean-Va.-based management and technology consulting firm, will direct the Alliance in the endorsement of key definitions for electronic health record, electronic medical record, personal health record, health information exchange and regional information organization.

The ONC is seeking representatives from all healthcare segments. Volunteer-based groups will be created, composed of experts and thought leaders on the subject, according to the Alliance.

Submission for work group candidates will be accepted Nov. 5-16. Public forums will be held from December through February in Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Houston, Texas.

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