HHS releases EHR contract guide, IT 'playbook' for clinicians

HHS has released a pair of practical online guides aimed at assisting clinicians and hospitals to manage their electronic health records and other information technology, according to a press release.

Developed by the HHS Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), a new contract guide entitled EHR Contracts Untangled: Selecting Wisely, Negotiating Terms, and Understanding the Fine Print promises to break down important concepts and include sample contract language to help clinicians and administrators discuss terms with vendors. In addition, a newly expanded Health IT Playbook will make it easier for providers to locate information and guidance on specific topics as they search, buy, use or switch EHRs, officials said.

“I know from my experiences practicing emergency medicine and managing information technology for a health system how helpful practical tools can be for clinicians and health care administrators as they navigate the purchase and use of health IT,” B. Vindell Washington, MD, MHCM, the ONC national coordinator for health IT, said in a press release. “The EHR contract guide and the Health IT Playbook incorporate feedback we have heard from the provider community about the need for clear, reliable information about EHR contracts and user-friendly, specific tools for how to get the most out of health IT to better manage patient health and care.”

According to HHS, the EHR contract guide, available in PDF format, is designed to help clinicians, hospitals and practices better understand and communicate their IT requirements to vendors, negotiate terms, and mange any potential risks.

Included in the guide are buyer rights and vendor obligations that providers may want to include in their contracts, as well as terms they may wish to avoid. Guides on managing safety and security risks, ensuring the availability and integrity of data, fair procedures for buyer–vendor disagreements, and switching EHR systems are also provided.

Available through the healthIT.gov website, the Health IT Playbook builds on the previous Patient Engagement Playbook for clinicians, including resources and guides intended to assist providers implement and use technology “in a way that best serves their practices, including supporting transitions toward alternative payment models,” HHS said.

The playbook also includes:

Best practices and success stories regarding EHR and health IT implementation;
Information on how to resolve issues related to IT optimization and workflow;
Illustrations on how laws, such as the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), support the exchange of electronic health information for care planning, quality measurement and improvement; and
A central resource for clinicians and IT professionals on new technologies and processes that can be used to support patient care and office function.

The ONC, as part of National Health IT Week, will host a public webinar explaining the Health IT Playbook on Friday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. EDT. Those who are interested can register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1365716964440414722.

Additional reading:

https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/EHR_Contracts_Untangled.pdf

https://www.healthit.gov/playbook/

https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/ehr_contracting_terms_final_508_compliant.pdf