Micky Tripathi, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at HHS, will complete his four-year term on January 20, 2025. His leadership has focused on aligning health technology strategies with contemporary healthcare demands while managing the challenges in health information technology. Additionally, the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC) has played a crucial role in advancing interoperability standards and leveraging artificial intelligence in healthcare. A recent milestone is the commitment from six health IT vendors to the USCDI Cancer data elements, a move aimed at enhancing cancer care through improved electronic health data utilization, as announced by the White House in March 2024.

Micky Tripathi's Leadership Transforms Health IT Ahead of Departure HealthIT.gov

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis has successfully implemented a telemedicine program to address the shortage of behavioral health providers in Missouri, where only 200 out of 1,000 licensed psychiatrists are available for a population of 6 million. Partnering with Iris Telehealth, the hospital started with one full-time psychiatrist to adapt processes for pediatric patients while ensuring telepsychiatrists were licensed across multiple states. This integration into the existing Epic EHR system improved communication and care continuity. The program has significantly increased psychiatric activity volume, enhancing patient access, with new patient appointments scheduled within 14 days rising from 14% to over 60%.

Telemedicine Transforms Pediatric Behavioral Health at Cardinal Glennon Hospital Healthcare IT News

Contaminated drinking water is becoming a pressing issue in cities post-wildfires, particularly in Los Angeles, where utilities have issued "Do Not Drink" advisories due to the infiltration of toxic chemicals from fires. Pasadena Water and Power issued a rare advisory after testing indicated potential contamination, which was later mostly lifted. Experts highlight that wildfires can damage infrastructure, allowing ash, smoke, and soot to enter water systems, especially when system pressure is compromised by high water demand or power outages. The health risks from such contamination can vary, including temporary symptoms and long-term consequences like cancer.

Wildfires Contaminate Drinking Water, Prompting Urgent Safety Alerts MedPage Today

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare offers numerous advantages but also raises serious challenges that necessitate a strong governance framework to protect patient safety and uphold ethical standards. At the CHIME24 Fall Forum, healthcare IT leaders highlighted the urgent need for structured governance to address the specific risks related to AI, such as misdiagnosis and algorithmic bias. A comprehensive governance model, led by a cross-functional committee of senior executives and informed by clinical, administrative, and legal perspectives, is essential. This model should prioritize patient safety, implement clear policies, and ensure ongoing evaluation of AI systems, utilizing frameworks like the IEEE UL 2933 and NIST's AI Risk Management Framework to guide ethical reviews and technology assessments.

"AI in Healthcare: Urgent Call for Robust Governance to Ensure Safety" Forbes

Micky Tripathi, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at HHS, will complete his four-year term on January 20, 2025. His leadership has focused on aligning health technology strategies with contemporary healthcare demands while managing the challenges in health information technology. Additionally, the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC) has played a crucial role in advancing interoperability standards and leveraging artificial intelligence in healthcare. A recent milestone is the commitment from six health IT vendors to the USCDI Cancer data elements, a move aimed at enhancing cancer care through improved electronic health data utilization, as announced by the White House in March 2024.

Micky Tripathi's Leadership Transforms Health IT Ahead of Departure HealthIT.gov

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis has successfully implemented a telemedicine program to address the shortage of behavioral health providers in Missouri, where only 200 out of 1,000 licensed psychiatrists are available for a population of 6 million. Partnering with Iris Telehealth, the hospital started with one full-time psychiatrist to adapt processes for pediatric patients while ensuring telepsychiatrists were licensed across multiple states. This integration into the existing Epic EHR system improved communication and care continuity. The program has significantly increased psychiatric activity volume, enhancing patient access, with new patient appointments scheduled within 14 days rising from 14% to over 60%.

Telemedicine Transforms Pediatric Behavioral Health at Cardinal Glennon Hospital Healthcare IT News

Contaminated drinking water is becoming a pressing issue in cities post-wildfires, particularly in Los Angeles, where utilities have issued "Do Not Drink" advisories due to the infiltration of toxic chemicals from fires. Pasadena Water and Power issued a rare advisory after testing indicated potential contamination, which was later mostly lifted. Experts highlight that wildfires can damage infrastructure, allowing ash, smoke, and soot to enter water systems, especially when system pressure is compromised by high water demand or power outages. The health risks from such contamination can vary, including temporary symptoms and long-term consequences like cancer.

Wildfires Contaminate Drinking Water, Prompting Urgent Safety Alerts MedPage Today

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare offers numerous advantages but also raises serious challenges that necessitate a strong governance framework to protect patient safety and uphold ethical standards. At the CHIME24 Fall Forum, healthcare IT leaders highlighted the urgent need for structured governance to address the specific risks related to AI, such as misdiagnosis and algorithmic bias. A comprehensive governance model, led by a cross-functional committee of senior executives and informed by clinical, administrative, and legal perspectives, is essential. This model should prioritize patient safety, implement clear policies, and ensure ongoing evaluation of AI systems, utilizing frameworks like the IEEE UL 2933 and NIST's AI Risk Management Framework to guide ethical reviews and technology assessments.

"AI in Healthcare: Urgent Call for Robust Governance to Ensure Safety" Forbes