Priorities
FY 2022-2023
| Priority | Description | Ranking | Supports IHS Strategic Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technology (Health IT) Modernization | Replace the IHS Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) through the acquisition of a modernized Agency Health IT system for IHS/ Tribal/ Urban (I/T/U) healthcare programs. This will encompass the selection, design, and installation of a centrally managed, modernized core Health IT system, including the necessary infrastructure and support services. Acquisition and program planning should include not only the clinical aspects of a Health IT system, but also IHS-specific mission and business needs. This should include business intelligence patient-and population-based clinical systems, practice management, financially oriented administrative processes, purchased and referred care operations, and interoperability functionality to meet regulatory requirements to ensure access to patient data across multiple platforms. This should include all related services to support deployment, training, standardization, and optimization, cybersecurity, and archiving legacy systems. The ISAC supports IHS allocating and dedicating financial and personnel resources to accomplish Health IT modernization as soon as possible within the constraint of resources, recognizing that Health IT Modernization will be a multi-year effort. The ISAC prioritizes IHS developing a phased approach for modernization, governance and process improvement, working closely with I/T/U partners. Consideration of Tribal Health IT Modernization resource needs should be included to provide an option for Tribes to be early adopters of the new EHR system. This may be accomplished through use of negotiated rates for Tribes to purchase system services/solutions from vendors. |
1 | Goal 3, Objective 3.3 |
| Data and Analytics | Invest in a next-generation data architecture with an enterprise Master Patient Index and security model that meets the complexities of reporting and data access needed for I/T/Us to manage health care. This includes harmonization of metrics and the adoption of national benchmarks for quality and performance. Organizations can gain enhanced visibility into data and improved population health capabilities through real time visualization tools. Real time analytics should be accessible and should meet applicable State, Federal, and Congressional reporting requirements. | 2 | Goal 3, Objective 3.3 |
| Human Capital Management for Information Technology | Optimize the IHS Information Technology (IT)/Health IT organizational infrastructure to build the next generation workforce through recruitment, hiring, retention, incentives, and employee development at all tiers/sites. The ISAC supports IHS' investment in an Agency-wide diverse and skilled IT/Health IT workforce capable of meeting the ever-changing needs of the I/T/U. This may require updates to the IHS IT Strategic Plan, IHS IT Human Capital Management Plan, and policies to ensure that the Agency is able to attract and retain highly qualified IT/Health IT staff that can support modernized Health IT, given the highly competitive market. | 3 | Goal 1, Objective 1.1 |
| Tribal Resources/Information Technology Shares | Work with I/T/Us to execute a mutually beneficial, cooperative plan for calculation of the IHS Office of Information Technology's Tribal shares, ensuring meaningful Tribal consultation. This will include documenting historic services and adding "new" services supporting Health IT Modernization and other technology advancements not currently reflected in the Headquarters Programs, Services, Functions, and Activities and the IT Service Catalog. The new service model should address services provided and costs, service level agreements, service delivery process, associated agreements, communications, education of stakeholders, and marketing. | 4 | Goal 3, Objective 3.1 |
| Patient Engagement | Engage patients in their healthcare through patient apps integrated with the commercial Electronic Health Record that IHS selects for modernization. This includes, but is not limited to: • Online registration, scheduling, cancellations, re-scheduling, and reminders. • Sharing patient information with sites at which the patient receives care outside of IHS or Tribal Health system, and providing a patient portal. • "Direct to Consumer/Patient" telehealth. • Ability for patients and providers to communicate through mobile devices such as texting and emailing. • A training component or tools to assist patients. • Supporting patient engagement in the acute care setting. |
5 | Goal 3, Objective 3.1 |
| Aligned Development Strategy | The IHS will continue the need to prioritize build versus buy decisions. There will be wealth of demand for interfaces (building and supporting) to legacy system and/or discrete vendor solutions, which likely cannot be met by smaller organizations. | 6 | Goal 3, Objective 3.3 |
| Revenue Cycle Enhancement | As IHS implements its new Health IT solution, there will be a need for training and significant support in all phases of the revenue cycle, from eligibility verification to Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) to denials management. There will be a wealth of activity needed to enhance and integrate these tools with clearing houses, coding and billing agencies, and other tools. | 7 | Goal 3, Objectives 3.2 and 3.3 |
