Standards Adoption

One of the objectives of the LTPAC HIT Collaborative is to provide tools and resources to all interested professionals and vendors that provide support and services to LTPAC Providers.  These are not only LTPAC HIT Collaborative originated but provides a reference to other developed tools and resources mainly through links to other websites as well as copies of documents that are most important to LTPAC. The field of health informatics is dependent upon the quantification and digitizing what, here-to-fore was on paper. The tools and resources included are meant to assist providers and vendors in adopting the certified electronic health record and transitions of care between all providers of care.

STANDARDS: The USA health information technology infrastructure will be based on approved standards. Even though the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) pertained to Medicare and Medicaid, other payment systems will adapt the approved standards in order to achieve interoperability and interconnectivity between all providers of care. LTPAC HIT Members serve on the HHS Federal Advisory Committees on Policy and Standards. Through committees and workgroups of the LTPAC HIT Collaborative, the sponsors and strategic partner members receive assistance in developing and implementing approved standards. Standards include transition of care, privacy & security, vocabulary, etc.

Standards Tools and Resources:

ADOPTION OF LTPAC HIT: Most providers of LTPAC have HIT electronic connectivity with CMS in order to be paid. The ARRA/HITECH legislation and subsequent regulations have expanded the use of electronic HIT to include transitions of care between eligible hospitals and professionals. LTPAC has adopted the strategy that even though the LTPAC providers are not included in the legislation it is important to the patients under LTPAC care and to the ultimate success of the program that LTPAC providers and vendors adopt standards and electronic health records for transition of care.

            Implementation Tools and Resources:

                        Stratis Tool Kits

            Return on Investment Tools and Resources:

CIO Consortium ROI Tool Kit

            Grants and Funding Tools and Resources:

                        HHS Challenge Grants

                        Beacon Community Grants

                        AHRQ Grants

                        Etc.

            Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Proposal (RFP) Tools and Resources:

            Training Program Tools and Resources:

HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE (HIE): LTPAC providers are important to the success of the HIE program due to the fact that from 40-60% of hospital discharges go to an LTPAC provider like SNF, Home Care Agency, LTAC, or IRF. The transition of care between all providers, based on standards within an HIE is in the best interests of the patients. Under person centric longitudinal care the HIE will play a major role in today’s care and in the ultimate US healthcare system infrastructure.

            Health Information Exchange Tools and Resources:

                        LTPAC State HIE Tool Kit

RESEARCH: The following table provides a guide to the available research on LTPAC HIT.

ARTICLES: The following articles are specific to LTPAC HIT

FAQs: The following are frequently asked questions and their answers:

HELPFUL LINKS: The following are links to assist LTPAC providers and vendors on the adoption of HIT: