Discussion of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Discussion of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Discussion of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Collaboration is important because the HISPC project is attempting to make communication and the sharing of patient easier and faster

You are required to reply to 2 classmates’ threads, identifying at least 1 strength and 1 weakness in each classmate’s reasoning. Each reply must be at least 450 words. Each reply must include at least 1 biblical integration and 2 peer-reviewed source citations in current APA format in addition to the textbooks.
Case Study Discussion Board Forum
Kevin Grier
Liberty University
According to (Dimitropoulos & Rizk, 2009) in 2005 the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) launched the Privacy and Security Solutions for Interoperable Health Information Exchange project.  Originally the project engaged organizations in thirty-four states and territories and later expanded to forty-two jurisdictions.  This project is now commonly known as the Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration (HISPC).  It was discovered that health information is protected by practices, policies, and state laws that has changed over time within different states and within different organizations with a set plan.

The state of North Carolina is an active participant in HISPC.  The North Carolina Healthcare Information and Communications Alliance, Inc. (NCHICA) is a nonprofit consortium of about 200 organizations who are dedicated to improving healthcare and aiding the growth of information technology (“North Carolina HISPC Final Implementation Plan,” 2007).  NCHICA’s primary role is playing a neutral medium to bring the many sectors of the healthcare industry together.  These sectors include payers, vendors, professional societies, and law firms alike.

The North Carolina Healthcare Quality Initiative is a project designed to automate medication, laboratory, and radiology data.  To begin the project, a list of patient medications was provided to the patient’s health care provided at the point of contact so that the provider can evaluate drug-to-drug interactions and prescribed the correct dosages (“North Carolina HISPC Final Implementation Plan,” 2007).  The second phase of the project was to inspect the electronic exchange of laboratory and radiology data to further improve care and save time.  Ultimately, the mission is for North Carolina health agencies improve the quality of health care for individuals seeking treatment in that state by ensuring the patients relevant health information is exchanged in a routine, timely, and secure manner.  North Carolina HISPC stakeholders agreed and recommended the development and implementation of a North Carolina Health Information Exchange Framework.

Collaboration is important because the HISPC project is attempting to make communication and the sharing of patient easier and faster while simultaneously protecting the patient’s information with increased security.  A man lives in North Carolina and takes a trip to California for a few weeks to visit family.  A short time after his arrival he suddenly falls ill and is rushed to the hospital.  HISPC seeks to make it easier for a physician to request and receive a patients’ full healthcare record in order to properly assist them.  In April 2004, President Bush issued an executive order establishing the position of the National Health Information Technology Coordinator and providing incentives for the use of health care technology (Ferneding, 2009). The President envisioned a medical network that facilitates the electronic exchange of health care records which would ultimately reduce costs and improve patient safety.

The bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.  For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.  But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.” The HISPC comes to mind when reading this passage written by Solomon.  The goal of the project was to incorporate as many states as possible in order to reduce cost and further benefit the patient.  By gaining multiple members there would be increased benefits in healthcare, thus two is better than one.  Verse 9 specifically speaks to that advantages of fellowship, partnerships, self-control and mutual encouragement between two people.

References

Dimitropoulos, L., & Rizk, S. (2009). A state-based approach to privacy and security for interoperable health information exchange. Health Affairs, 28(2), 428-434. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.28.2.428

Ferneding, A. (2009). Regional health information organizations: Lower health care costs, fewer iatrogenic illnesses, and improved care – what are we waiting for?Journal of Law and Health, 22(1), 167.

North Carolina HISPC Final Implementation Plan. (2007, April 15). Retrieved from http://bok.ahima.org/PdfView?oid=105323

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