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The Quadruple Aim
Quadruple Aim

A Conceptual Framework

Improving the U.S. health care system requires four aims: improving the experience of care, improving the health of populations, reducing per capita costs and improving care team well-being. HITEQ Center resources seek to provide content and direction aligned with the goals of the Quadruple Aim

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Resource Overview

Patient portals, sometimes also referred to as personal health record systems (PHR) are web-based portals commonly attached to electronic health record systems (EHRs). These patient-centered portals provide patients with the ability to login and review health information related to their care. Common patient portal services include ways in which to schedule appointments, send messages to their care providers, review test results and refill prescriptions.

Outside of the benefits to the patient, implementation of patient portals had come to the attention of healthcare providers due to the inclusion of Meaningful Use of objectives centered on the use of patient portals and electronic engagement with patients.  Stage 3 requirements are still being explored and the impact it will have on Health Centers is unknown. Therefore, it is a challenge for small practices and Health Centers to determine how to best derive value from Patient Portals and effectively implement them into their workflow.

The tools and articles posted below are meant to provide examples, templates and strategies that can assist Health Centers in understanding how patient portals can better engage their patients in self-management of their care, and after an initial investment in time and money can decrease the burden on their clinical and administrative staff.

Patient Portal Resources

Navigating Compliance Challenges with the Information Blocking Rule: A Collection of Case Studies
Navigating Compliance Challenges with the Information Blocking Rule: A Collection of Case Studies

Navigating Compliance Challenges with the Information Blocking Rule: A Collection of Case Studies

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology’s (ONC) 21st Century Cures Act Information Blocking Rule (Info Blocking Rule) prohibits covered actors – including health care providers, health IT developers of certified health IT, and health information exchanges/health information networks– from engaging in practices likely to interfere with, prevent, or materially discourage access, exchange, or use of electronic health information (EHI). The Info Blocking Rule includes eight exceptions that provide actors with certainty that, when their practice interferes with the access, exchange, or use of EHI and meets the conditions of one or more exception, such practice will not be considered information blocking. An actor’s practice that does not meet all the conditions of an exception will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine whether information blocking has occurred.

FAQ: How will the upcoming changes to the Information Blocking and EHR certification requirements impact health centers?
FAQ:  How will the upcoming changes to the Information Blocking and EHR certification requirements impact health centers?

FAQ: How will the upcoming changes to the Information Blocking and EHR certification requirements impact health centers?

During the 4th quarter (October to December) of 2022, there are two major health information technology (HIT) requirement changes, with potential for significant implications to health centers. Read this FAQ to find out how your health center can respond.

 

Navigating Compliance Challenges with the Information Blocking Rule
Navigating Compliance Challenges with the Information Blocking Rule

Navigating Compliance Challenges with the Information Blocking Rule

Since the 21 Century Cures Act Information Blocking Rule went into effect in 2021, electronic health information (EHI) has become more available than ever as it is posted to portals, sent through health information exchanges, and available via health-related apps upon request by patients. As the availability of EHI has increased, so too have concerns about the privacy of EHI. Like other actors, health centers are faced with new compliance challenges, including how to best protect sensitive EHI, how to respond to patient requests to restrict access to their EHI, and how to respond when patients request changes to their EHI. Health centers must navigate complex and, at times, conflicting federal and state laws and regulations. This webinar focused on how to navigate these challenges while complying with the Information Blocking Rule.

Patient Portals & Right of Access: Compliance with the Information Blocking rule and HIPAA
Patient Portals & Right of Access: Compliance with the Information Blocking rule and HIPAA

Patient Portals & Right of Access: Compliance with the Information Blocking rule and HIPAA

There are many questions about patient portals and the related requirements under the Information Blocking Rule. In this session, our expert speaker will review the impact of the Information Blocking Rule on implementation and use of the patient portal.

Over the last few years, the Office of Civil Rights has focused much of its enforcement efforts on ensuring patients are afforded their HIPAA right to access their protected health information (PHI). The Privacy Rule generally requires HIPAA covered entities to provide individuals, upon request, with access to the PHI (including electronic PHI) about them in one or more “designated record sets” maintained by or for the covered entity. This includes the right to inspect or obtain a copy, or both, of the PHI. It also includes an individual’s right to direct the covered entity to transmit a copy of their PHI to a designated person or entity of the individual’s choice.

HITEQ Highlights: Health Centers as Actors (in Information Blocking)!
HITEQ Highlights: Health Centers as Actors (in Information Blocking)!

HITEQ Highlights: Health Centers as Actors (in Information Blocking)!

Join the HITEQ Center to discuss approaches to balance patient confidentiality, sensitive situations, vulnerable populations, and meeting the provisions in CURES act and information blocking. How should health centers best prepare themselves and their staff to meet the information blocking provisions and better serve our patient population?

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Acknowledgements

This resource collection was cultivated and developed by the HITEQ team with valuable suggestions and contributions from HITEQ Project collaborators.