 Introduction
 Scheduled for completion in 2015, the National Health Information Infrastructure (NHII) will be a communications system comparable to a network of highways, roads and pathways on which all health information will travel. Its purpose is to enable patients' electronic health records to be accessed and added to by all health care providers electronically (with patient authorization), virtually anywhere in the country, via the network. The electronic health record will include health information entered for a specific patient at a specific point of service. It will travel and be accessible on the NHII.
Falling under the purview of the Department of Health and Human Services, HHS defines it as "an initiative set forth to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and overall quality of health and health care in the U.S."
Electronic Health Record
The EHR will contain a patient's entire health history for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, vision, lab tests and all other health needs.
- Dentists and physicians (with patient authorization) will have access to complete patient information at the point of service, and will update the patient record with any new information.
- This will lead to improved clinical decisions, increased quality of care, patient safety and avoidance of redundant or unnecessary procedures, greatly reducing cost.
- Patient and doctor will be reminded about appointment scheduling, when to take medications and potential drug-drug interactions, leading to increased patient safety.
- The data will increase research opportunities and more rapid development of "best practices" based on sound evidence, and will be used to improve population health.
- EHRs can be easily accessible when disaster strikes, allowing for rapid response.
ADA News
The Journal of the American Dental Association
Additional Resources
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Related Links
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National Health Information Infrastructure Web site:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/sp/nhii
American Health Information Management Association:
www.ahima.org
American Medical Informatics Association:
www.amia.org
eHealth Initiative:
www.ehealthinitiative.org
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society:
www.himss.org
National Alliance for Health Information Technology:
www.nahit.org
National Association of Health Data Organizations:
www.nahdo.org
National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics:
www.ncvhs.hhs.gov
National Institute of Standards and Technology Information Infrastructure for Healthcare:
www.atp.nist.gov/focus/iifhc.htm
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