Interoperability is receiving more attention now than ever because of ARRA/HITECH stimulus dollars attached to meaningful use incentives. Meaningful Use Stage 1 clearly calls for transition-of-care documentation to be exchanged using federally recognized standards. That requirement has been the catalyst for significant standards development – including the Direct Project – the ONC’s attempt to streamline secure, push-based transmission of electronic data for all Health IT systems.
But the real story driving interoperability is accountable care organizations (ACOs). Read the rest of this entry
