National Indian Health Board Annual Consumer Conference 2011 American Indian/Alaska Native Regional Extension Center
What is Health Information Technology? Use of Electronic Health Records and Health Information Exchange Networks to Improve Patient Care: Produce accurate and complete information about a patient’s health care Improve coordination of care between providers Establish networks to securely share patient information Improve outcomes for prevention and wellness initiatives
Two Unique Programs – Common Goal Improving Patient Care Regional Extension Center Program administered by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Provide support services to assist Primary Care Providers in adopting Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and become meaningful users of EHRs. EHR Incentive Program Program administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Provide incentive payments to eligible professionals and hospitals as they adopt, implement, upgrade or demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology.
Health Information Technology Extension Centers In 2010, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) funded 62 HITECH Regional Extension Centers (RECs) in every geographic region of the U.S. Most RECs serve a single state. NIHB is establishing the only National REC serving Tribes and Urban Indian populations located in 37 states throughout the U.S. – the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) REC.
Primary Purpose of HITECH Regional Extension Centers Established to ensure that Primary Care Providers receive technical health IT services to support implementation of Electronic Health Records and achieve Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records.
Primary Purpose of NIHB REC Administer and provide NIHB REC funds to support delivery of technical health IT services to healthcare facilities serving Tribes and urban Indian populations across the U.S. NIHB REC will fund delivery of health IT services to Primary Care Providers working in IHS, Tribal and Urban Indian health facilities.
Collective Responsibility - Health IT in Tribal Communities NIHB needs the support of: Tribal Leaders Indian Health Service Area Indian Health Boards Regional Tribal Health Organizations Urban Indian Health Organizations
Why Should Tribal Health Organizations Support AI/AN National REC Activities? Build local capacity to implement and manage health IT systems. Support implementation of local health IT service delivery structures. Develop local health IT workforce to serve future Tribal needs.
How Will NIHB Deliver REC Services? Area Sub Awards will be provided to eligible Tribal Health Organizations to implement local NIHB REC services. Using award funds, Area Sub Awardees may choose to deploy their own staff or sub contract for the services of health IT specialists.
Area Sub Awards – Current Status United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) Nashville Area REC Services 9-Areas Coverage Zone - RPMS EHR and MU Team Alaska Native Tribal Health Corporation (ANTHC) Alaska Area REC Services California Rural Indian Health Board (CRIHB) California Area REC Services National Commercial-off-the-Shelf EHR Team Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) Portland Area REC Services
Sub Recipient Awards – Current Service Areas USET-REC: Albuquerque Aberdeen Billings Bemidji Navajo Nashville Oklahoma Phoenix Tucson Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC-REC) Alaska Area California Rural Indian Health Board (CRIHB-REC) California Area Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB-REC) Portland Area
Electronic Health Records Patient-centered, collaborative care Improved patient information, better health care decisions Improved clinical decision support tools Focus on prevention and wellness
NIHB REC Contacts Evangelyn Dotomain, NIHB Deputy Director (202) Tom Kauley, NIHB REC Consultant (505) Shawn Leckey, REC Deputy Director (202)