HITOC Director Carol Robinson Presents to HIMSS Oregon

HIMSS Oregon proudly hosted HITOC Director, Carol Robinson, on Tuesday evening, Sep 30th. Carol shared information with the attendees all of the work Oregon is undertaking now that we live in the times of ARRA (I think as HIMSS CEO described it, there was a time before ARRA and a time after ARRA!). Carol laid out Oregon's "Triple Aim Goal" comprised of: improved patient experience, improved population health, and lower per capita costs. I find it interesting that providers aren't explicitly addressed among the 3 groups. Anyway, exciting happenings are afoot! Oregon has been approved for over $8.5 million over 4 years to develop an HIE. That's not enough money to cover all the costs, so the state will be looking to public-private partnerships to get us the rest of the way there. Oregon's initial application for a Regional Extension Center, to help drive statewide EHR adoption, was approved and so now moves onto the "full grant application" phase. In addition to many other topics, Carol provided brief bios of committee members newly appointed to HITOC (which should be official at this time). Stay tuned to HIMSS Oregon for future events and goings on!