Each article includes beginner-level background information on the topic, a description of current activities in this part of the field, and lessons emerging from the array of projects sponsored by AHRQ. These articles also include recommended tools and resources for individuals engaged in health IT projects.
[collapse collapsed title=Architecture of Health IT]
The field of health information technology involves many technologies, and each one comes with an acronym...
Learn more about the Architecture of Health IT
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[collapse collapsed title=Clinical Decision Support]
Given the exponential growth in our knowledge of medicine it is impossible for any clinician to know everything he or she needs to know...
Learn more about Clinical Decision Support
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[collapse collapsed title=Computerized Disease Registries]
Tools for tracking clinical care and outcomes within a defined patient population...
Learn more about Computerized Disease Registries
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[collapse collapsed title=Computerized Provider Order Entry]
Clinical application that allows clinicians to order and process lab tests, medications, clinical procedures, and other services electronically...
Learn more about Computerized Provider Order Entry
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[collapse collapsed title=Consumer Health IT Applications]
Consumer health information technology applications allow patients to manage, share, and control their health information electronically and assume a more active role in the management of their health...
Learn more about Consumer Health IT Applications
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[collapse collapsed title=CPT]
A standard vocabulary used to describe procedures performed by medical professionals...
Learn more about CPT
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[collapse collapsed title=DICOM]
A messaging standard for exchanging medical images between medical equipment and information systems...
Learn more about DICOM
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[collapse collapsed title=Electronic Medical Record Systems]
A basic component of an health IT system, electronic medical record systems have the potential to provide substantial benefits...
Learn more about Electronic Medical Record Systems
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[collapse collapsed title=Electronic Prescribing]
The use of computing devices to enter, modify, review, and output or communicate drug prescriptions...
Learn more about Electronic Prescribing
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[collapse collapsed title=Health Information Exchange]
Health Information Exchange (HIE) enables clinical staff to access more information about a patient when it is needed...
Learn more about Health Information Exchange
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[collapse collapsed title=Health Information Exchange Policy Issues]
Newly released set of tools to assist communities that participate in health information exchange. Provides guidance on contractual, policy, and technical issues...
Learn more about Health Information Exchange Policy Issues
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[collapse collapsed title=Health IT in Small and Rural Communities]
Despite progress in the last few years, adoption rates remain low, particularly in small and rural communities...
Learn more about Health IT in Small and Rural Communities
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[collapse collapsed title=HL7]
A messaging standard for exchanging clinical and administrative data between health information systems...
Learn more about HL7
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[collapse collapsed title=ICD]
The WHO international standard for classifying diseases and clinical diagnoses...
Learn more about ICD
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[collapse collapsed title=Interface Engines]
Sharing clinical data necessitates the translation of one data format into another so that disparate systems can talk to each other...
Learn more about Interface Engines
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[collapse collapsed title=LOINC]
A widely accepted coding standard for results, such as laboratory tests or vital signs, for clinical care, outcomes management, and research...
Learn more about LOINC
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[collapse collapsed title=NCPDP]
The standard used in electronic prescribing and pharmacy benefits/claims transactions...
Learn more about NCPDP
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[collapse collapsed title=NDC]
Classification system used for reporting drugs and biological products in pharmacy transactions, prescription drug claims processing, and clinical information systems...
Learn more about NDC
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[collapse collapsed title=SNOMED CT]
A comprehensive coding standard used often to represent clinical concepts in electronic medical records (EMRs)...
Learn more about SNOMED CT
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[collapse collapsed title=Standards]
Various clinical systems represent and communicate data in different ways, so standards are necessary to ensure interoperability...
Learn more about Standards
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[collapse collapsed title=Telehealth]
Geographic disparities in access to care can be addressed partially using technologies that allow for remote audio, visual, and haptic communication between caregivers and specialists or patients...
Learn more about Telehealth
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