The AAMC submitted comments on April 12 to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) on its draft United States Core Data for Interoperability Version 4 (USCDI v4). If finalized, the ONC could propose the adoption of the updated USCDI v4 for the ONC Health IT Certification Program in future rulemaking.
In its letter, the AAMC reiterated support for efforts to standardize data for interoperability that prioritize the access, exchange, and use of electronic health information to support care delivery as patients move through the health care system and their broader health goals.
Comments specific to new draft data classes and data elements for USCDI v4 focused on improving clarity and ensuring electronic health information meets the needs of patients and providers alike. For example, for the draft new Facility Information data class and constituent data elements, the association suggested in its letter that the ONC consider more clear approaches to defining each element, as current draft definitions could cause confusion.
Similarly, for draft new elements related to patient goals for treatment intervention and care experience, the AAMC’s letter asked the ONC to clarify whether the data elements could support quality reporting on advance care planning, as well as whether the agency envisions patients having the opportunity to periodically review and confirm the information, or possibly even author it directly, to ensure it best represents a patient’s true preferences.
Regarding the proposed new data elements for alcohol and substance use under the Health Status Assessment data class, the letter urged the ONC to consider potential definitional context that could support other health IT efforts to improve data segmentation for privacy.
- Washington Highlights