By JACOB REIDER
I realize I haven’t yet shared my thoughts on this topic, which is surprising given how ofen I discuss it. Let’s begin with a foundational overview.We can examine health information through the outlook of a lifecycle.
The potential of Health Information Technology (HIT) lies in its ability to assist us in achieving optimal health outcomes for those we serve.
The initial vision behind the HITECH Act was encapsulated in the phrase: “ADOPT, CONNECT, IMPROVE.”
This triad formed the foundation of the Meaningful Use Incentive programs.
Adopt technology to enable us to connect improve
Straightforward enough, right?
A few years down the line, one could argue that both
The challenge remains in bridging measurement with actual health
This raises an important question: A significant number of technical solutions—especially those focused on creating dashboards—fail to address a critical component. They bring us close but ultimately fall short. This is where this seemingly simple “AAAA” model proves beneficial. If data and information are to hold real value within healthcare systems, they must complete an entire cycle. Merely collecting and displaying data isn’t sufficient; there are four vital steps involved: 1. Aquire: This step involves gathering raw data and information from various sources such as EHR entries, device readings, patient-reported outcomes—the full spectrum of inputs flowing into our systems. It’s essential to distinguish between data (objective representations like blood pressure readings or lab results) andinformation (diagnoses or treatment plans), as data tends to be more reliable than information which may contain inaccuracies. 2. Aggregrate: After acquisition comes aggregation—bringing together disparate datasets into a unified format that allows for comprehensive analysis rather than sifting through numerous individual sources. 3. Anayze: At this stage we begin interpreting the collected data through clinical decision support (CDS). This phase enables trend identification, anomaly detection, risk prediction and highlights areas needing intervention. However most existing solutions stop here—a dashboard or report presents insights but leaves it up to humans to decipher what actions should follow. 4. Act: this is where actionable insights come into play—it’s about transforming findings into concrete interventions. Imagine an advanced system that not only identifies potential issues but also: This approach doesn’t eliminate human judgment—it enhances it by making optimal choices easier. Jacob Reider MD is a family physician who previously served as Deputy National Coordinator at ASTP/ONC ,CMIO at Allscripts & Albany Medical Center ,CEO Alliance Better Health currently engaged angel investing advising pickleballing . Find his occasional musings athttp ://www.docnotes.net ,one among few blogs older than THCB!
What good does it do if we know a patient faces high readmission risks without triggering specific follow-up protocols? Identifying prescribing patterns means little if no system facilitates practice changes based on these insights.
We have traditionally depended on human action for this transition—a clinician might notice trends from reports then manually initiate necessary changes.
it’s disheartening.
The true strength of modern HIT lies in its capacity for closing this loop effectively—we need systems designed not only for acquiring aggregating analyzing but also facilitating next best actions tailored towards improving patient care while ensuring appropriate recipients receive guidance.
Next time you assess any new Health IT solution consider asking yourself how effectively does it help usAct?