Developing a Universal and Secure Electronic Health Information System

For years, hospitals and health systems have shared the goal of developing an interoperable health care information system that shares data across providers. The advantages are significant: faster, more accurate transfer of patient records that can result in more effective treatment. Less of an administrative burden for doctors, nurses and other caregivers. Overall, a smoother system that better serves everyone’s needs. But here’s a key question: how does such a system deliver sensitive information to those who have a need for it … and keep it out of the hands of those that don’t? In January 2021, Micky Tripathi assumed the job of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There, he leads the formulation of the federal health IT strategy and coordinates federal health IT policies, standards, programs, and investments. In this podcast with the AHA’s Nancy Foster, Tripathi talks about what his office is doing to help care providers achieve the health information sharing system they want and deserve.