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Implementing a system that can accurately identify patients isn’t as simple as adding a field to an EMR system. But it is going to require “a mobilization and educational effort similar to the one that made EMR usage pervasive,” says Mitch Parker.
As digital tools become more critical to operations, it’s becoming increasingly important to develop a more “coherent and structured” process that can give health IT leaders the knowledge and experience they need, says Will Smart.
Before we can get into the specifics of why a national patient identification system is necessary, it’s important to reflect on the changes the industry has seen in the past 20 years when it comes to data access and privacy, says Mitch Parker.
When it comes to health IT policy, leaders have two choices: get engaged in the process and help lead the discussion, or wait for regulators to set the rules and live with the consequences, according to Mari Savickis and Leslie Krigstein of CHIME.
With data breaches on the rise – and many health systems still not dedicating enough time or resources to cybersecurity – it’s more important than ever that CIOs and IT security leaders work together to develop a solid roadmap, says Michael Saad.
