In a joint letter sent to HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, HIMSS and CHIME voiced their concern regarding the ONC's recent leadership transitions, saying the changes "could have a detrimental effect on ONC's role in HHS' charge to positively transform our nation's health system."
In light of their concerns, the professional organizations offered several recommendations for ONC to keep the ONC running as a vehicle for IT improvement.
First, HIMSS and CHIME drew attention to "the exodus of most of ONC's senior leadership," citing moves including Karen DeSalvo, MD; Doug Fridsma, MD, PhD; Judy Murphy, RN; and Jacob Reider, MD.
The organizations wrote that given IT's continually evolving environment, leadership at ONC needs to remain consistent and remain in place in order to navigate change and successfully address stakeholders' needs.
"We urge you to fill all ONC leadership positions as soon as possible with well-respected leaders who possess a combination of clinical training and practice, clinical and business informatics expertise, a clear vision for IT's role in enabling healthcare transformation and experience in public policy," the organizations wrote.
The letter specifically emphasizes the importance of the National Coordinator role, which Dr. DeSalvo currently holds on a part-time basis as she offers her assistance as the Acting Assistance Secretary for Health with HHS. The organizations recommend the need for a full-time national coordinator if Dr. DeSalvo continues to split her time between HHS and ONC.
HIMSS and CHIME also outline several other issues they wish ONC to address, including keeping the interoperability roadmap on schedule, challenges relating to meaningful use reporting, aligning HHS and CMS to improve quality reporting programs, implementing a risk-based approach to mitigate patient safety risks and continuing to support the development of health IT tools.
"A strong and viable ONC must address the immediate and long-term requirements for healthcare transformation," the letter reads.
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