In a recent article from Future Healthcare Today, our colleagues explored the recent trends, current projects, and top IT priorities for healthcare agencies. With insights from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and Verizon Business, we see how the changes being made today are positively impacting the care patients receive now and in the future.
From revolutionizing data sharing to deploying cutting-edge technologies in surgical rooms, government healthcare IT is in a unique period of transformation. Visionary leaders Ryan Argentieri, Karl Mathias, Gary Lynch, and Dr. Neil Evans shared their insights at a recent Federal Executive Forum, titled Healthcare IT in Government, that examined exciting developments at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
These game-changing projects include electronic health record (EHR) implementations, expedited data sharing, cutting-edge applications of 5G and augmented reality (AR) in surgical rooms, and proactive healthcare experiences powered by telehealth and AI. Together, these transformative technologies help agencies deliver equitable access to healthcare services, bridging the digital divide and ensuring a connected healthcare ecosystem for a brighter and healthier future.
Visionary Insights: Advancing Government Healthcare IT Initiatives
Ryan Argentieri, Deputy Director, Office of Technology, Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT
It’s been an exciting and transformative year at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC), according to Ryan Argentieri. With its newest national coordinator, Micky Tripathi, who brings a wealth of experience, settling into his duties, the office expanded both the United States core data for interoperability and the USCDI+ program, and launched an exciting TEFCA (trusted exchange framework and common agreement). Argentieri highlighted the continued learning and leveraging of the private sector. Her team works to “make sure that we are really taking advantage of technology and innovation for the American public and improving patient care.” Addressing artificial intelligence (AI) and decision support intervention tools in a transparent and safe manner has been a critical aspect of this endeavor.
“The number one priority, because it extends to all the other priorities, is health IT alignment across HHS because that really makes sure that we’re all rowing in the same direction and leveraging all the great work happening by the smartest people in the respective rooms across the department,” Argentieri said. By harmonizing standards and working as a united team, both within the government and the private sector, the ONC aims to address cybersecurity, diversity and equity, and healthcare delivery challenges effectively.
Karl Mathias, Chief Information Officer, Department of Health and Human Services
Since his appointment in March 2022 to the role CIO of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Karl Mathias’ main focus has been on data and technology for healthcare. “We are really moving forward on our ability within the government to share data, and that’s happened within the last few months,” he said. Mathias highlighted the considerable progress made in expediting data sharing between HHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), with a new agreement signed in May 2023. The aim is to facilitate data sharing with other organizations as well, promoting collaboration and efficiency. While it’s not new, Mathias shared that it is not widely known that HHS operates a website where open data sets from the CDC, NIH, and others are made available to the public, benefiting hospitals and researchers alike.
Cybersecurity remains a major focus, with HHS taking on the role of managing risk for the nation’s critical healthcare infrastructure. Mitigating ransomware attacks and implementing best practices are key initiatives. AI is seen as a vital tool to managing the vast data repositories, but Mathias noted the need for this technology to be trustworthy, reliable, and able to account for diversity to deliver unbiased decision-making to ensure patient care is not compromised.
Gary Lynch, Managing Partner, Global Practice Lead for the Healthcare, Insurance & Life Science, Verizon Business Group
With a strong focus on innovation, Lynch and his team have been working closely with customers and partners to lay down advanced infrastructure and solve complex problems. One example is their collaboration with the VA, where they are enabling cutting-edge applications of 5G and augmented reality (AR) in surgical rooms. In partnership with the Cleveland Clinic, its newest hospital in Mentor, Ohio was just built from the ground up as the nation’s first hospital with a private 5G wireless network. With a native 5G capacity the Cleveland Clinic is poised to roll out transformative technologies including AR/VR in medical settings.
Lynch said their efforts extend beyond technology implementation, with a keen focus on health equity and digital inclusion. Recognizing the digital divide, they have been working on digital inclusion initiatives to provide affordable connectivity to underserved communities. Through the health equity program, they help eligible individuals gain access to devices to manage their healthcare. Lynch discussed their vision of a connected healthcare ecosystem capable of delivering proactive healthcare and investing in 5G connectivity in rural areas to deliver more healthcare services in-home. Using computer vision and telehealth solutions, they aim to enhance patient care and make healthcare more accessible through kiosks placed in community-accessible locations, such as grocery stores, to simplify tasks such as filling out applications and accessing medications.
Dr. Neil Evans, Acting Program Executive Director, Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office, Veterans Health Administration
At the VA, Dr. Neil Evans has been focused on the agency’s electronic health record (EHR) modernization project, which extends beyond the VA and aims to implement a federal EHR system. Currently, this common record is utilized by four separate Cabinet-level agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. The goal is to provide a seamless health record for members of the military from enlistment throughout their lives as veterans.
Telehealth has been central to VA’s mission of getting healthcare to veterans and millions of veterans have benefitted from the service. While the pandemic necessitated the increased use of telehealth services, its popularity hasn’t waned. Dr. Evans said, “we are still doing 108,000 video visits a week across the enterprise, indicating a real sustained demand for technology enabled care, even here on the backside of the COVID-19 pandemic.” However, with broadband not universally available, ensuring equity of access to healthcare services is a top priority. The VA has worked diligently to bridge the digital divide, providing Internet-capable tablets to thousands of veterans, enabling proactive healthcare experiences at home. “Our mission at the VA is to fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who served in our nation’s military, and for the families, caregivers, and survivors, and that mission applies regardless of where those people are in this country,” Dr. Neil Evans said.
Watch the full Federal Executive Forum here to learn more about government healthcare IT initiatives.