Community Health Forum: Meaningful Use of HIT and Its Importance to the Medical Home
Summer 2010

In the wake of health care reform, meaningful use and the patient-centered medical home will define the new environment in which health centers must function. In this column, Dr. Hartzband discusses each effort and how their full adoption can serve to greatly strengthen health centers’ capabilities.

Click here to download the PDF.

---

Community Health Forum: Achieving “Meaningful Use” Means More than Technology
Winter/Spring 2010

The 2009 enactment of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) and subsequent CMS rules will change the way community health centers operate and deliver care. In this column, Dr. Hartzband reviews and explores the implications of the Stage 1 criteria that define the requirements for the first eligibility year.

Click here to download the pdf.

---

Community Health Forum: HIT and Flu Preparedness
Fall 2009

In order to adequately respond to the H1N1 flu emergency, health centers and other providers must have a solid health information technology infrastructure in place. Dr. David Hartzband discusses the importance of CHCs’ implementation of HIT functions for such critical activities as surveillance, reporting, alerts and information sharing, as well as analysis of demographic and clinical trends.

Click here to download the pdf.

---

Community Health Forum: An Urgent Mission: Why is EHR Adoption so Important for Health Centers?
Summer 2009

Dr. David Hartzband explains barriers to adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems, why EHR is critical now, and what’s at stake in terms of dollars and patient care. He outlines the key to successful EHR adoption and the importance of working to meet the “meaningful use” requirements. Dr. Hartzband cautions that organizations that don’t work toward EHR adoption now may not realize benefits or financial incentives outlined in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) until 2015 or later.

Click here to download the pdf.

---

Community Health Forum: Implications of the ARRA for Health Center HIT
Spring 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is a far-reaching bill that includes substantial funding for HIT initiatives. Dr. David Hartzband explains the HIT-specific provisions in the bill that are particularly important to CHCs, how standards will drive EHR use, and the necessity for CHCs to begin the EHR adoption process now.

Click here to download the pdf.

---

Community Health Forum: Health Reform and the Effective Use of HIT
Winter 2009

With health care at the focus of the Administration’s domestic policy agenda, we’ll see an increased emphasis on the effective use of information technology to improve health care delivery. In this column Dr. David Hartzband shares his thoughts about important considerations for CHCs and explores related issues, barriers and opportunities.

Click here to download the pdf.

---

Community Health Forum: HIT Staffing Considerations for Health Centers
Fall 2008

Appropriate staffing is essential for running IT operations optimally. In this column, Dr. David Hartzband outlines important factors for CHCs to consider in determining how to best staff HIT functions.

Click here to download the pdf.

---

Community Health Forum: Adopting Electronic Claims Calls For Practical Solutions
July 24, 2008

Because applications that are useful are more effective and readily adopted, usefulness – how well an application is allied with the functions and culture of the organization – should be an essential consideration in the acquisition of new software technology. Dr. David Hartzband provides specific factors CHCs should consider as they evaluate the usefulness of HIT products and vendors.

Click here to download the pdf.

---