What's Happening in Health IT

In This Issue

• Register Now for the 2016 ONC Annual Meeting
• Comment Period Closing - ONC Health IT Certification Program: Enhanced Oversight and Accountability Proposed Rule
• LAST CHANCE to participate in the HL7 C-CDA Rendering Tool Challenge!
• ONC and NIST Collaborate on Pilot to Streamline Identity and Credential Solutions
• OCR Cyber-Awareness Monthly Update
• Federal Advisory Committee Schedule Apr. 25 – Apr. 29

Register Now for the 2016 ONC Annual Meeting

Registration is now open for the 2016 ONC Annual Meeting: “Committed to Better Care through Health IT.” The ONC Annual Meeting is an opportunity for a wide array of public and private sector partners to discuss ways to leverage health IT to achieve better care, smarter spending, and healthier people.

When: May 31 – June 2, 2016  
             Day 1: Plenary Day
             Day 2: Breakout Day
             Day 3: Consumer Day

Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.

Comment Period Closing - ONC Health IT Certification Program: Enhanced Oversight and Accountability Proposed Rule

The comment period for the “ONC Health IT Certification Program: Enhanced Oversight and Accountability” proposed rule is closing next week on Monday, May 2, 2016 at 5 p.m. ET.  Stakeholders please review and submit comments on the proposed rule. To assist in commenting on the proposed rule, ONC provides a Microsoft Word Version of the proposed rule and a Public Comment Template.

Presentation slides are available to view on Healthit.gov.

LAST CHANCE to participate in the HL7 C-CDA Rendering Tool Challenge!

ONC and HL7 are holding a challenge to encourage the development of HL7 tools. Will your team be the one to develop the solution and take home the prize?

The challenge seeks the creation of tools that help clinicians view the most relevant patient information from CCDAs. Registration closes on April 30, with a deadline to submit by May 31, 2016. You can learn more at the challenge website.

ONC and NIST Collaborate on Pilot to Streamline Identity and Credential Solutions

We are collaborating with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on a pilot to help streamline the way patients and providers access health information online from different organizations. We’re looking for a project that will pilot solutions to access health information that are privacy-enhancing, secure and resilient, interoperable, and cost-effective and easy-to-use.

• Read more about the new pilot opportunity
• Register for a webinar to learn more

OCR Cyber-Awareness Monthly Update

Hackers using ransomware present a significant threat to the health care industry and to HIPAA covered entities and their business associates.  Ransomware can cripple entities’ systems and shut down access to patient care. HIPAA covered entities and business associates should consider the threat of hackers using ransomware to their enterprises, take the appropriate steps to manage the risks to their electronic protected health information, and consider important related issues like transmission security, contingency planning, and data backup.

For more information on this and other important topics subscribe to the HHS OCR Listserv.

Federal Advisory Committee Schedule Apr. 25 – Apr. 29

Tuesday, April 26
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET. Joint: API Task Force Meets. Learn more: http://ow.ly/4mZx8N 

1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. Joint: Interoperability Experience Task Force Meets. Learn more:http://ow.ly/4mZxAt

*All times are in Eastern Time unless otherwise noted