- Review the Resources on healthcare policy and regulatory/legislative topics related to health and nursing informatics.
- Consider the role of the nurse informaticist in relation to a healthcare organization’s compliance with various policies and regulations, such as the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).
- Research and select one health or nursing informatics policy (within the past 5 years) or regulation for further study.
- 1-page fact sheet that your healthcare organization could hypothetically use to explain the health or nursing informatics policy/regulation you selected.
Fact Sheet: The 21st Century Cures Act and Its Impact on Nursing Informatics
Overview
The 21st Century Cures Act, enacted in December 2016 and updated with new provisions over the last five years, aims to accelerate medical product development and bring new innovations and advances faster and more efficiently to patients who need them. The Act includes a wide range of provisions to address the health information technology (HIT) and electronic health record (EHR) sectors, directly impacting nursing informatics.
Key Provisions
- Interoperability and Information Blocking:
- Promotes the seamless exchange of health information across systems.
- Prohibits practices that interfere with the access, exchange, or use of electronic health information (EHI).
- Patient Access to Health Information:
- Ensures patients have easy access to their EHRs and promotes patient engagement in their own healthcare.
- Standards and Certification:
- Mandates the use of standardized APIs to facilitate interoperability.
- Requires health IT developers to certify that their products meet specific criteria for interoperability and user-centered design.
- Data Exchange and Transparency:
- Encourages transparency in the EHR market and data exchange practices.
- Establishes penalties for entities that engage in information blocking.
Role of the Nurse Informaticist
- Implementation and Compliance:
- Ensures that EHR systems are compliant with the new regulations and standards set forth by the Cures Act.
- Works with IT and clinical staff to implement necessary changes to health IT systems to promote interoperability.
- Education and Training:
- Educates clinical staff on the new provisions of the Cures Act, emphasizing the importance of interoperability and patient access.
- Provides training on the use of new tools and systems designed to comply with the Act’s requirements.
- Patient Advocacy:
- Advocates for patient rights to access their health information.
- Assists patients in understanding how to access and use their health records effectively.
- Data Management and Security:
- Oversees the secure exchange of health information in compliance with the Act.
- Implements strategies to protect patient data while ensuring accessibility and usability.
Benefits to Healthcare Organizations
- Improved Patient Care:
- Enhanced interoperability leads to better coordination of care and improved patient outcomes.
- Regulatory Compliance:
- Compliance with the Cures Act ensures that the organization avoids penalties and maintains good standing with regulatory bodies.
- Increased Efficiency:
- Streamlined data exchange processes reduce administrative burdens and improve the efficiency of care delivery.
- Patient Empowerment:
- Greater patient access to health information promotes patient engagement and self-management of health conditions.
Conclusion
The 21st Century Cures Act represents a significant advancement in the field of health and nursing informatics, emphasizing the importance of interoperability, patient access, and data transparency. Nurse informaticists play a crucial role in implementing these changes and ensuring compliance, ultimately contributing to better patient care and more efficient healthcare delivery.
For further information, please contact the Nursing Informatics Department at [Your Healthcare Organization].
References:
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). The 21st Century Cures Act: Interoperability, Information Blocking, and the ONC Health IT Certification Program. Retrieved from HHS Website
- HealthIT.gov. (2021). Cures Act Final Rule. Retrieved from HealthIT.gov