“The Department of the Interior’s (DoI) Indian Health Service (IHS) Health Information Technology (HIT) Modernization Program is looking for industry feedback on a contract vehicle for vendors to help replace an outdated electronic health records (EHR) system.”
“’In recent years, advances in health-related standards and technologies, an increasingly complex regulatory environment around HIT, and the decision of [Veterans Affairs], IHS’ long-time collaborative partner, to move to a commercial off-the-shelf HIT solution, have combined to make the current approach to IHS HIT development and support non-sustainable going forward,’ the statement of objectives (SOO) said.”
“IHS’ current system, the Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS), was developed internally as a distributed system with hundreds of separate databases nationwide…”
“According to the SOO, IHS wants to achieve outcomes that align with IHS Strategic Goals and the IHS Strategic Plan FY 2019-2023, including:
- Improved service access for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people seeking IHS care;
- Improved patient engagement through electronically available health information;
- Improved health status for AI/AN people receiving IHS care;
- All IHS facilities to achieve and maintain recognition as Patient Centered Medical Homes;
- Improved quality of care by IHS;
- Improved interoperability and sharing of patient information within the organization, across IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian health systems, and with private and Federal partners…” Read the full article here.
Source: IHS to Replace Current Health Information System – By Jordan Smith, August 13, 2021. MeriTalk.
