Answer ID

 

619

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/15/2004 02:47 PM

  

 

What is the National Health Information Network (NHIN)?

 

 

Question

 

What is the National Health Information Network (NHIN)?

 

 

Answer

 

A National Health Information Network would link disparate health care information systems together to allow patients, physicians, hospitals, public health agencies and other authorized users across the nation to share clinical information in real-time under stringent security, privacy and other protections. The NHIN is described in greater detail in the Framework for Strategic Action: “The Decade of Health Information Technology: Delivering Consumer-centric and Information-rich Health Care” which is available at: http://www.hhs.gov/onchit/framework/.

 

 

Answer ID

 

621

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/15/2004 09:09 AM

  

 

Why is an RFI being used to seek public input on the National Health Information Network?

 

 

Question

 

Why did the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) choose a Request for Information (RFI) to seek public input on the National Health Information Network (NHIN)?

 

 

Answer

 

As the nation embarks on the widespread deployment of electronic health records (EHRs), a variety of challenges and barriers must be addressed. There are many perspectives that can be brought to bear on this important topic. Health information technology organizations, healthcare providers, industry associations and other stakeholders all have important insights that will help inform future deliberation. By issuing an RFI, ONCHIT can seek a wide range of feedback from the public at large that would otherwise be attainable in a public hearings or in a white paper.

 

 

Answer ID

 

626

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:16 AM

  

 

How do I obtain a copy of the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI?

 

 

Question

 

How do I obtain a copy of the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI?

 

 

Answer

 

If you have Internet access, you can download a copy of the RFI from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) website at (http://www.hhs.gov/healthit) or from the Federal Register at (http://frwebgate3.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=53004226505+1+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve). If you do not have Internet access, please call 877-474-3918 and request a copy of the NHIN RFI to be faxed to you.

 

 

Answer ID

 

617

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/15/2004 03:20 PM

  

 

What is a Request for Information (RFI)?

 

 

Question

 

What is an RFI?

 

 

Answer

 

RFI stands for Request for Information. The RFI issued from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) on November 15, 2004 is titled “Development and Adoption of a National Health Information Network.”

 

 

Answer ID

 

636

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 12:44 PM

  

 

How do I participate in the December 6 technical assistance conference call about the NHIN RFI?

 

 

Question

 

How do I participate in the December 6 technical assistance conference call about the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI?

 

 

Answer

 

Further details about the technical assistance conference call will be provided on the ONCHIT website at http://www.hhs.gov/healthit/ in the final week of November.

To be notified when the conference call phone number is available, please click on the 'Notify Me by E-mail if this Answer is Updated' button (below). Provide your email address and submit. When the phone number is available, an email will be sent to you linking you back to this answer.

 

 

Answer ID

 

623

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:13 AM

  

 

By issuing an RFI, is the government planning to purchase services or solutions to build a NHIN?

 

 

Question

 

By issuing an RFI, is the government planning to purchase services or solutions to build a National Health Information Network?

 

 

Answer

 

No. The NHIN RFI is intended to inform policy discussions about possible methods by which widespread interoperability and health information exchange could be deployed and operated by the private sector on a sustainable basis.

 

 

Answer ID

 

620

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:11 AM

  

 

Where does the NHIN RFI fit into the overall National Health Information Technology Strategy?

 

 

Question

 

Where does the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI fit into the overall National Health Information Technology Strategy?

 

 

Answer

 

On April 27, 2004 President Bush called for the widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHR) for most Americans within 10 years and established the position of National Health Information Technology Coordinator via an Executive Order. In response to the President's Executive Order, the National Coordinator prepared and released a Framework for Strategic Action that was presented at a Secretarial Summit on Health Information Technology on July 21, 2004. The Framework outlined an approach toward nationwide implementation of interoperable health information technology in both the public and private sectors. It included four goals, each with three corresponding strategies.

The NHIN  RFI addresses the second goal in the Strategic Framework: Interconnecting Clinicians so that clinicians can exchange health information using advanced and secure electronic communication. It seeks public comment and input regarding how to achieve widespread interoperability of health information technologies and health information exchange through a NHIN.

 

 

Answer ID

 

631

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:25 AM

  

 

How long should responses to the NHIN RFI be?

 

 

Question

 

How long should responses to the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI be?

 

 

Answer

 

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) encourages responses that are thorough yet concise.

 

 

Answer ID

 

624

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:14 AM

  

 

Who can respond to the NHIN RFI, just one person at a time, one organization or multiple organizations?

 

 

Question

 

Who can respond to the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI, just one person at a time, one organization or multiple organizations?

 

 

Answer

 

All respondents, from individuals to consortia, are invited to respond to the NHIN RFI. In the interest of having the most compelling, complete and thorough responses possible, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) encourages interested parties to collaborate and submit unified responses to the NHIN RFI wherever possible.

 

 

Answer ID

 

618

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:08 AM

  

 

What is the purpose of the NHIN Request for Information (RFI)?

 

 

Question

 

What is the purpose of the National Health Information Network (NHIN) Request for Information (RFI)?

 

 

Answer

 

The purpose of the RFI is to seek public comment about the means to achieve and sustain the widespread interoperability of health information technologies through a National Health Information Network (NHIN).

 

 

Answer ID

 

633

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:28 AM

  

 

Will my response to the NHIN RFI be kept confidential?

 

 

Question

 

Will my response to the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI be kept confidential?

 

 

Answer

 

Portions of Health IT RFI responses may be used in future documents from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If you plan to submit information that you do not wish to be made public, please designate the information or relevant sections of your response as “confidential.” The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) will protect information designated as “confidential” to the fullest extent allowed by Federal law. However, there may be circumstances where Federal law may require ONCHIT or HHS to make your entire submission publicly available.

 

 

Answer ID

 

630

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:24 AM

  

 

Do I need to answer every question in the NHIN RFI?

 

 

Question

 

Do I need to answer every question in the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI?

 

 

Answer

 

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) encourages full responses wherever possible. However, you may respond to the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI in part.

 

 

Answer ID

 

634

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:29 AM

  

 

If I don’t respond to the NHIN RFI, will this affect my ability to participate in future opportunities?

 

 

Question

 

If I don’t respond to the NHIN RFI, will this affect my ability to participate in future opportunities related to the National Health Information Network (NHIN)?

 

 

Answer

 

No, there is no preference given to organizations or individuals that respond to the RFI.

 

 

Answer ID

 

625

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:15 AM

  

 

What happens after the NHIN RFI responses are processed?

 

 

Question

 

What are the next steps after the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) processes the responses to the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI?

 

 

Answer

 

The responses to the RFI are the first step in public discourse on how to achieve and sustain widespread interoperability of health information technologies and health information exchange through a National Health Information Network (NHIN). The responses to the RFI are the first diagnostic step to guide future decisions within the federal government regarding the NHIN.

 

 

Answer ID

 

622

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:12 AM

  

 

What do you expect to learn from releasing the NHIN RFI?

 

 

Question

 

What does the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) expect to learn from releasing the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI?

 

 

Answer

 

By releasing this RFI, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) expects to learn more about the barriers to interoperability, as well as possible solutions to achieve and sustain widespread interoperability of health information technologies and health information exchange.

For more details, the electronic version of the RFI is available on the ONCHIT website (http://www.hhs.gov/onchit) or from the Federal Register (http://frwebgate6.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=526968265773+1+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve). If you do not have Internet access, please call 877-474-3918 and ask for a copy to be faxed to you.

 

 

Answer ID

 

635

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 12:07 PM

  

 

Whom do I contact with questions about the NHIN RFI?

 

 

Question

 

Whom do I contact with questions about the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI?

 

 

Answer

 

Please check the NHIN RFI FAQ list before contacting the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT). If you have a question that is not directly answered by the FAQ list, then please send an email to NHINRFI@hhs.gov.

ONCHIT also has a toll free number (877-474-3918) for assistance with RFI questions. Please leave a brief message, stating your callback phone number and the nature of your question. ONCHIT will respond to you as quickly as possible.

In addition, on December 6, 2004, ONCHIT will hold a technical assistance conference call to answer RFI questions. Further details about the technical assistance conference call will be provided on the ONCHIT website at http://www.hhs.gov/healthit/ in the final week of November.

If you would like to suggest a new ‘Frequently Asked Question’ to be added to this category, please click on the Suggest a Question tab above and complete the form. Our staff will review the request and add the answer to the knowledge base if it would be helpful to everyone.

 

 

Answer ID

 

632

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:27 AM

  

 

What will be done with the NHIN RFI responses?

 

 

Question

 

What will The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) do with the responses to the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI?

 

 

Answer

 

ONCHIT staff will review the responses to the Health IT RFI and use them to inform and guide decisions within the federal government regarding the National Health Information Network (NHIN).

 

 

Answer ID

 

629

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:23 AM

  

 

What electronic format should the responses for the NHIN RFI be in?

 

 

Question

 

What format should the responses for the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI be in?

 

 

Answer

 

For ease of processing, your response should be a single electronic file, preferably in Microsoft Word. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) can also accept WordPerfect and text files.

 

 

Answer ID

 

627

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:18 AM

  

 

What is the deadline for sending a response to the NHIN RFI?

 

 

Question

 

What is the deadline for sending a response to the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI?

 

 

Answer

 

The public will have 60 days to respond to the Health RFI after it is published. Responses must be received on or before January 18, 2005 at 5:00 P.M. EST.

 

 

Answer ID

 

628

 

Category

 

Nat'l Health Info Network RFI

 

Date Updated

 

11/16/2004 08:21 AM

  

 

How do I submit my response to the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI?

 

 

Question

 

How do I submit my response to the National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI?

 

 

Answer

 

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) prefers that National Health Information Network (NHIN) RFI responses be submitted electronically to the NHINRFI@hhs.gov email address. Please include NHIN RFI Responses in the subject line.

ONCHIT will accept mailed responses, the mailing address is:

NHIN RFI Responses

US Department of Health and Human Services

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology

Hubert H. Humphrey Building,

Room 517D

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.

Washington, DC 20201

http://answers.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/hhs.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_sid=ksUR-zqh&p_lva=&p_li=&p_page=1&p_cat_lvl1=40&p_cat_lvl2=%7Eany%7E&p_search_text=&p_new_search=1

 

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November 17, 2004