The regional extension centers (RECs) were a main focus for healthcare IT stakeholders this year.
David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), repeatedly referred to RECs during speaking engagements throughout the year, saying they would be influential in helping physicians adopt healthcare IT in time to receive federal bonuses for meaningful use under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
"These are the types of doctors least likely to be able to afford support services in the private market," Blumenthal said at an April 2010 press conference.
He said the centers would target small practices, but they would also be available to give all providers assistance face-to-face, online and via phone from offices staffed with employees in each region. "What we are interested in providing is customer service," Blumenthal said. "In a large part, providers will define what's most useful."
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the centers are expected to support some 100,000 primary care providers and hospitals within the first two years. They will support tens of thousands of new jobs including nursing, pharmacy technicians, IT technicians and trainers, Sebelius said.
This year, the federal government provided $642 million in grants to 60 organizations nationwide to become regional extension centers. They began opening last spring. A list of the RECs, where they are located and how to contact them can be found on ONC's website.
Farzad Mostashari, senior adviser for ONC said the RECs would provide troubleshooting on hardware, software and project management. They will also provide legal experts to help with privacy and security issues.
Doctors and hospitals that have not purchased healthcare IT should not wait before contacting their REC because RECs can advise providers on making a wise purchase, Mostashari said.
Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients, or CRISP was one of 28 organizations to receive REC grant funding in April.
CRISP President David Horrocks, said his organization will use its $5.5 million to partner with small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Maryland, each with demonstrated expertise in EHR implementation, to provide "critical customized advice" and "on-the-ground implementation" services to physician practices. According to ONC, hundreds of healthcare providers located near CRISP expressed interest in working with the new extension center.
