One of the central principles of the Indian Health Service Health Information Technology (IT) Modernization Program is to build and operate the new enterprise electronic health record (EHR) solution, PATH EHR, with our partners, not for them. We are committed to partnership in the journey to build PATH EHR using governance frameworks that promote collaboration.
Governance is the cornerstone to the successful implementation of PATH EHR and the modernization efforts. Oversight of the program is centered on tribal input, industry standards, federal compliance, fiduciary management, and patient outcomes. Driving the Health IT Modernization Program is a governance structure focused on federal functions, enterprise collaboration, and partner engagement.
Federal Functions
The federal government manages and provides strategic oversight on the scope, funding, risk management, and partnerships of the program’s initiatives. The Executive Steering Committee (ESC) is accountable for federal functions and is authorized to make strategic decisions affecting the program. The ESC provides oversight and leadership and makes executive-level decisions affecting how health IT modernization at IHS is achieved. Decisions regarding resource commitments and acquisition selection will be referred to the IHS director or designee for action. The ESC exercises authority over the Health IT Modernization Program, with support from the Division of Health Information Technology Modernization and Operations.
Enterprise Collaboration Group
The Enterprise Collaboration Group (ECG) is the governing body that informs system configuration in clinical and administrative areas. The ECG meets regularly to review evidence-based practices and recommendations for operational aspects of PATH EHR implementation and deployment. PATH EHR will be configured collaboratively by expert users from participating IHS federal facilities, tribes, and urban Indian organizations.
The ECG is comprised of 15 domain groups representing a wide variety of clinical and business areas:
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Throughout 2025, domain groups will participate in enterprise design workshops to help inform the build and configuration of PATH EHR. The ECG Executive Committee will make recommendations based on the outcomes of these workshops, as well as approves domain group chairs, determines if new domain groups should be established, and if existing domain groups can be retired.
Partner Engagement
The IHS welcomes partners to participate in engagement activities to share their expertise and experiences with Program leadership. Tribal and urban Indian organization partners are invited to join quarterly Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer sessions, which cover a variety of modernization topics and provide an opportunity for open dialogue with IHS modernization leaders.
Open to all interested IHS, tribal, and urban Indian organizations regardless of their selected EHR solution, focus groups provide forums to meet and discuss shared issues, with the opportunity for all to come away with information of value to their organizations. Focus groups were launched in early-2024 to inform and support decisions and governance of the program. The program has hosted nine focus group sessions, which covered health IT implementation, interoperability, and data management and analytics, with the intent that more will be established as needed in the future.
To participate in upcoming focus groups of interest, tribal and urban Indian organization subject matter experts can email modernization@ihs.gov. Please submit your name, title, credentials, tribe or organization, email address, and desired focus group(s).
By actively collaborating with our partners and leveraging their feedback, the IHS is committed to achieving excellence in health care. The Health IT Modernization Program will implement PATH EHR with a focus on innovation, quality, and user experience, ensuring it meets the needs across Indian Country to promote health and wellness for generations to come.
Stay Connected with the Health IT Modernization Program
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Register for 2025 Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer Sessions The Health IT Modernization Program is committed to connecting and collaborating with our partners through informative sessions and open forums in tribal consultation and urban confer sessions. Check out the Program’s latest Dear Tribal Leader Letter and Dear Urban Indian Organization Leader Letter and enclosure announcing the dates and topics for 2025 sessions. Register now using the links below:
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Statement of Interest (SOI) We invite our partners to complete a non-binding document to help the IHS understand which tribal and urban sites are interested in becoming part of the PATH EHR partnership. The SOI form may be submitted by email to modernization@ihs.gov at any time. Federal sites are not required to complete the SOI form. |
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Health IT Modernization Awareness Survey The Health IT Modernization Program Awareness Survey intends to measure the effectiveness of the program's communications, assess our partners' awareness and perception regarding PATH EHR, and determine tribal and urban partners' interest in actively participating in program initiatives. The input you provide through this survey provides the IHS with invaluable insight into the reach of our engagement efforts across Indian Country, helping us enhance the circulation of information about PATH EHR implementation. Take the survey here. |
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