Government & Policy

The organizations will work together to evaluate real-world evidence from patient datasets to help regulatory decision making.

According to the Department of Health and Social Care, the NHS is using around 130,000 pagers at an annual cost of £6.6m.

New figures show that one in 10 Australians have opted out of the My Health Record (MHR) system, leaving participation rates at 90.1 per cent. 

The report from the agency's Health Information Technology Advisory Committee shows that patient engagement and cybersecurity will also be big parts of its agenda going forward.

They'll focus on info blocking, certification requirements, standards for voluntary pediatric health IT certification and the new U.S. Core Data for Interoperability proposal.

Info-blocking ruled the day, while APIs, FHIR, artificial intelligence and virtual reality were also prominent themes at this year’s Global Conference.

Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed that a new joint unit bringing together leaders of the digital agenda across the health service is to be created.

At HIMSS19, ONC Chief Don Rucker joined panel discussions on information sharing led by former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle.

Former U.S. CTO Aneesh Chopra said that CMS embracing FHIR means an end to any fight over data standards.

The agency is dealing with interoperability and cybersecurity, just like everyone – but add to those hurdles a vast and work-intensive EHR overhaul, stringent budgetary requirements and challenges with workforce visibility, and the DHA has a tall order.