Health information technology and quality improvement for community health centers.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is committed to promoting health information technology (HIT) throughout health care. However, selection, acquisition, and implementation of HIT for quality improvement (QI) are beyond the means of many federally supported community health centers (CHCs). In the absence of federal leadership and investment, adoption of HIT will be slow, haphazard, duplicative, and wasteful. HHS should actively support HIT to improve quality in CHCs. This will maximize HIT benefits, minimize costs, and ensure that CHCs have the tools to address the needs of vulnerable populations.
Fiscella
Kevin
K
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA. Kevin_Fiscella@urmc.rochester.edu
Geiger
H Jack
HJ
D000555:Ambulatory Care Information Systems; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D014481:United States; D014483:United States Dept. of Health and Human Services