Introduction
Effective implementation of health information technology (health IT) can help to assure that providers have the right information available at the right time and place of care to improve treatment, prevent errors, and reduce health care costs. Health IT utilization can also facilitate the collection of information, which can improve disease surveillance, increase health care knowledge, and shape best practice guidelines. Leading elements of health IT include the implementation of a health information exchange (HIE), the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs), and expanding telehealth.
The Center for Health Information Technology and Innovative Care Delivery (Center) is responsible for advancing health IT statewide. The Center has an ambitious plan for advancing health IT that balances the need for information sharing with the need for strong privacy and security policies as follows:
- Promote the statewide HIE, Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP);
- Identify challenges to health IT adoption and use, and formulate solutions and best practices that address these challenges;
- Increase the availability and use of standards-based health IT through consultative, educational, and outreach activities;
- Promote and facilitate the adoption and optimal use of health IT for the purposes of improving the quality and safety of health care;
- Harmonize service area HIE efforts throughout the State;
- Certify electronic health networks that accept electronic health care transactions originating in Maryland;
- Develop programs to promote electronic data interchange between payors and providers; and
- Designate management service organizations to promote the adoption and advanced use of EHRs.
For more information about health IT initiatives in Maryland, select the links on the left menu bar and below: