This week marks the 9th annual National Health Information Technology Week—a forum where the industry recognizes the collaborative efforts of all those dedicated to advancing our health care system through the use of information technology.
CommonWell Health Alliance is a testament to what collaborative efforts can do to drive new approaches and innovations to solve one of our industry’s most challenging issues – interoperation. When we formed eighteen months ago, there were those who doubted that competitors could find common ground and agree to one vision. But today, more than a dozen vendors are succeeding not only to have one vision, but also to have one voice as we break down the barriers for interoperability in health care.
In just 18 months, our shared vision and collective efforts have led to:
• Member companies live with CommonWell services at more than 10 provider sites ranging from large acute hospitals to rural specialty practices;
• Thousands of people enrolled in the CommonWell Health Alliance database; and
• Dozens of clinicians benefiting from data liquidity afforded by CommonWell services.
We are proud to be a collective voice in supporting the Office of the National Coordinator’s work towards a Nationwide Interoperability Roadmap. It is heartening to see so many organizations like CommonWell, as well as public-private partnerships, focusing on ways to efficiently use health IT to continually improve care.
CommonWell may be made up of a diverse group of member companies representing a cross-section of our industry, but we represent one voice. This week, we look forward to celebrating the efforts of many as we seek to improve health care for all.
Jeremy Delinsky, chief technology officer – athenahealth, serves as CommonWell’s chairman of the Board.