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National HIT Coordinator David Brailer to Give Keynote Address at the 2006 Healthcare Information Management Systems Society Conference

Posted on: Thursday, 19 January 2006, 18:00 CST

News Advisory:

As pressure builds from government, providers, advocates and consumers for electronic health records (EHRs), information technology companies are moving quickly to create software applications that are easy to use, secure and compatible with those of competitors.

Just how far they've come will be on display and the prime topic at the February annual conference of the Healthcare Information Management and Systems Society (HIMSS), one of the largest IT conferences in the industry with more than 23,000 attendees.

Government officials and industry leaders will address attendees about recent progress, current barriers and goals for the next several years. The results of the Annual HIMSS Leadership Survey, sponsored by ACS Healthcare Solutions, tracks significant changes in the healthcare IT industry and will be released during the four-day meeting, Feb. 13-16, in San Diego. The international meeting will have a record 825 exhibiting companies showcasing their latest innovations.

Among the news opportunities at this year's meeting:

Keynote speakers

-- David Brailer, MD, PhD, is the country's first National Health Information Technology Coordinator, responsible for executing the actions ordered by President George W. Bush, who is calling for widespread deployment of health information technology within 10 years to realize substantial improvements in safety and efficiency.

Brailer's keynote address is titled, "The U.S. Government's Healthcare Information Technology Strategy: A Progress Report and a Look at What is to Come." His office has been working on building the industry infrastructure that is required for interoperability. Brailer will discuss key initiatives related to standards harmonization, health IT certification, National Health Information Network (NHIN) prototypes, privacy and security solutions, and the breakthrough efforts of the American Health Information Community (AHIC). This discussion will include the progress to-date, the future direction, what that will mean in the healthcare marketplace, and the industry collaboration that is required to accomplish this. His opening speech is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13 at 8 a.m.

-- Former U.S. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tom Ridge will discuss U.S. security issues, security- influenced technology and healthcare preparedness in the aftermath of the Gulf Coast hurricanes with a focus on lessons learned in New Orleans. Ridge will address attendees on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m.

-- Craig R. Barrett, Chairman of the Board, Intel Corporation, is a recent appointee to the AHIC and its only representative from the information technology industry. Barrett will discuss how technology, when applied to the healthcare industry, helps connect healthcare professionals, consumers and caregivers in a true continuum of care. Barrett's speech is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16 at 8 a.m.

-- Governor Mark R. Warner (Virginia), who just left office in January 2006, worked with bipartisan majorities in the General Assembly to win passage of what has been called the most comprehensive tax reform proposal considered by any state in the past decade. The plan makes the tax system more fair, keeps commitments in education, health, and public safety, and helped reaffirm Virginia's sterling Triple-A credit rating from Wall Street rating agencies. He will address attendees on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 8:45 a.m.

-- Emmy-award winning comedian Dana Carvey will close the meeting with an inspirational presentation reflecting on his experiences in the entertainment industry and with healthcare. His speech is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m.

Targeted education sessions

The Katrina/Rita Story: The IT Solution

Industry leaders impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will relate their stories of personal experience. In a special two- hour session led by Timothy Zoph, vice president, information services, and CIO, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Ill., and including Jonathan Alter, Senior Editor of Newsweek, this panel looks at the response to Katrina and Rita, what happened, lessons learned for the country and for IT and where to go from here. This session will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 8:30 a.m.

Harmonizing Standards in Healthcare

HHS recognizes that harmonization of data standards is fundamental to the success of widespread interoperability and the seamless and secure electronic exchange of patient information. John D. Halamka, MD, MS, CIO, CareGroup Health Systems; Associate Dean for Educational Technology, Harvard Medical School; and Chair, Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP), will describe the scope of HITSP, the processes and the timeline to streamline the exchange of electronic medical data among all stakeholders. This session is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13 at 12:30 p.m.

Healthcare IT: The Foundation for Improving Care

Health IT is an essential component of efforts to transform healthcare delivery. Carolyn M. Clancy, MD, director for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), will look at AHRQ's efforts to help prepare clinicians to deploy health IT effectively and evaluate the impact of health IT on quality and safety on Monday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m.

Visit http://www.himss06.org/education/views_from_the_top.asp for other Views from the Top sessions at HIMSS06.

The Exhibition

To showcase the latest in the field, more than 825 exhibiting companies -- including 225 first-time exhibitors -- will display new products and hold demonstrations. HIMSS has several areas that will help attendees navigate through the exhibition floor. Product Pavilions group similar products and services together in the same area so they may be easily compared. The Product Showcase displays the most up-to-the-minute innovative products and services. (Attendees can also enjoy the Taste of HIMSS as participating exhibitors provide a sampling of refreshments and hors d'oeuvres for those viewing presentations of the latest technologies.)

At the Interoperability Showcase attendees can track their EHRs at this interactive exhibit featuring the latest technology and standards in EHR products. From radiological images to medical summaries to cardiology reports, attendees will learn how each new product makes the interaction between patient and doctor safer, quicker and easier.

The structure of the Showcase models how Regional Health Information Infrastructure Organizations (RHIOs) allow patients to become more active participants in their own healthcare management. Clinical scenarios will be enabled by the standards- based Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) framework, demonstrating how different companies incorporate interoperability into their products. The 2006 exhibit will showcase innovative EHR products from 44 companies, including: Cerner, DSS, GE Healthcare, IBM, Initiate Systems, InterSystems, Misys Healthcare Systems, Quovadx and Siemens Medical Solutions.

The Department of Defense (DoD) /Military Health System (MHS) Demo Area is designed to showcase the most up-to-date information and solutions used to improve military healthcare. MHS provides healthcare through a $28 billion worldwide network of military hospitals, military health clinics and the DoD's civilian partners.

Download the complete program and register for a media badge at http://www.himss06.org.

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AT A GLANCE

-- Hospitals continue to lag other industries in their IT investments. (1) Studies in ambulatory care settings estimate that EHRs would save $112 billion per year. (2)

-- Healthcare organizations spend an estimated $17 billion to $42 billion per year on HIT. (2)

(1) HIMSS Analytics and HIMSS Annual Report of the U.S. Hospital IT Market; 2005

(2) Walker, J, Pan E, Johnston D, Milsten J, Bates D, Middleton B. The Value of Health care Information Exchange and Interoperability. Boston (MA): Center for Information Technology Leadership; 2004

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The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is the healthcare industry's membership organization exclusively focused on providing leadership for the optimal use of healthcare information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of human health. Founded in 1961 with offices in Chicago, Washington D.C., and other locations across the country, HIMSS represents approximately 17,000 individual members and more than 275 member corporations that employ more than 1 million people. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare public policy and industry practices through its advocacy, educational and professional development initiatives designed to promote information and management systems' contributions to ensuring quality patient care. Visit http:// www.himss.org for more information.

http://www.usnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Newswire

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