Dr. Jitendra Barmecha, CIO of SBH, discussed the challenges of being a CIO in the healthcare industry in a recent interview with Janae Sharp. Dr. Barmecha addressed the issues of interoperability and staffing, emphasizing the need for cross-training, resilience, and business continuity planning during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also highlighted the impact of the pandemic on the industry, which accelerated the digital capabilities of healthcare organizations. Despite the constantly evolving landscape, Barmecha believes that healthcare CIOs can drive positive change and improve outcomes for patients and communities by focusing on digital capabilities and meaningful information at the point of care.

The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) is a nationwide network that enables authorized parties to exchange medical records. In a recent interview, Dr. Micky Tripathi, Director of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) at the US Department of Health and Human Services, discussed the potential impact of TEFCA on healthcare in the US, highlighting the need for a common set of terms and conditions and the importance of digital workflows in healthcare transactions. The interview covers the timeframe for organizations to apply for the exchange framework and the scope of information that will be exchanged, including the US Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI), which includes basic medical record information supported by all electronic health record vendors and providers in the country. TEFCA aims to streamline health information exchange, enable secure and efficient data exchange, and help break down data silos. However, some health system leaders have expressed concerns about the potential costs and technical challenges of implementing TEFCA, as well as the potential impact on patient privacy and data security. While TEFCA is a significant step towards achieving interoperability, a comprehensive approach involving technology, policies, and incentives is needed.