Policymakers speed work on broadening NHIN

A Health and Human Services Department advisory panel has stepped up its efforts to identify standards and services that would open up the nationwide health information network to providers who need simple ways to share health data.

Providers as well as states need advice on how to set up health information exchange systems as soon as possible, said Dr. David Blumenthal, the national health IT coordinator. His office recently announced financial awards to state organizations to develop health information exchange systems. "I don't have to tell you about the pressure that organizations and providers in the field are under to exchange information," he said at a meeting of the Health IT Policy Committee Feb. 17. "States and state organizations are hungry for guidance on how they should use the funds that are becoming available for planning to expedite health information exchange."