Posted: September 19th, 2023

The three key provisions outlined in The Cures Act are

HIMS 425 – Module 4
Alignment to Course Objectives:
 Discuss the three provisions of The Cures Act and the impact on health informatics and
stakeholders
 Discuss Application Programming Interface (APIs) as it relates to health informatics
 Discuss the domains of interoperability and the stakeholders
Instructions:
1. Read the 2018 Report to Congress Annual Update on the Adoption of a Nationwide System for
the Electronic Use and Exchange of Health Information. The most recent reports are also on
Blackboard, but are not required reading. The 2018 report is a good foundation on the use
and exchange of health information. The report is uploaded on Blackboard. Here is the link as
well: https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/page/2018-12/2018-HITECH-report-tocongress.pdf
2. Please include the page numbers from the report that you used to write your responses to at
the end of your response for each question. Example: Question 2: response to question
(pages #, #, ##). If you do not include page numbers 20% of the point value for each question
you do not include citations for will be deducted from the question points.
3. Complete the assignment below in a Word document, without including the questions
themselves, and upload it to Blackboard (Bb). DO NOT use outside sources to complete this
assignment, only the report. Check your email for a verification email from Bb that the
assignment uploaded. Check Bb grade center to ensure the assignment you uploaded wasthe
correct assignment.
4. Complete the quiz in the module folder. It has questions from the article reading above and
The Digital Doctor.
Questions:
1. What are the three provisions outlined in The Cures Act? Explain each provision. 9 points
2. Who are the three groups of stakeholders that will benefit from interoperability. Discuss
(not list) the benefits outlined in the 2018 report of interoperability for each of the three
groups individually (70 words minimum) 18 points
3. Discuss (not list) the limitations related to information access the three groups ofstakeholders
face? (70 words minimum) 18 points
4. Which provider group has the most capabilities to electronically send or receive (exchange)
patient health information with any health care providers outside their organization? What
percentage of this provider group has this capability? 10 points
5. Which capability is the lacking the most (lowest percentage of) in each of the two provider
groups outlined? They aren’t necessarily lacking in the same areas. Discuss, do not simply
state, each area for each provider group. 20 points
6. Explain the basics of APIs in 150-200 words as it relates to health informatics. 25 points health management
Answer all the questions attached

Chapter 2: Electronic Health Records and Clinical Information Systems
Objective:
Evaluate the current status and documented outcomes of electric health record utilization
Instructions:
Evaluate the healthy people 2030 initiative project at https://health.gov/healthypeople.
Address the priority areas that are discussed in the project
Include in the information provided your understanding of the social determinants of health and why they are important in healthcare
Address why you think SDOHs can reduce healthcare disparities if used in an EHR.

References

https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/page/2018-12/2018-HITECH-report-tocongress.pdf

https://health.gov/healthypeople

The three key provisions outlined in The Cures Act are:
Information Blocking – This provision aims to prevent health information organizations from knowingly and unreasonably blocking the exchange or use of electronic health information. It promotes greater interoperability between systems.
Standards for Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) – This requires healthcare providers and payers to publish APIs that allow patients access to their health information through third-party applications. This fosters more patient-centered care.
Interoperability – This provision establishes a framework for developing common standards and implementation specifications to support secure access, exchange, and use of electronic health information. It supports the seamless movement of health data between different technical systems (pages 1-2).
The Healthy People 2030 initiative prioritizes several important social determinants of health (SDOHs) that can significantly impact individual and population health outcomes if addressed. Some of the key priority areas discussed are:
Economic Stability: Poverty, employment, food security, housing stability. Living in poverty is linked to poorer health.
Education Access and Quality: Early childhood education, enrollment in higher education, language and literacy. Higher levels of education are associated with better health.
Health Care Access and Quality: Access to primary care, dental and mental health services, health literacy. Timely access to appropriate care improves health.
Neighborhood and Built Environment: Access to healthy foods, quality of housing, crime and violence, environmental conditions. Where we live influences our health risks and choices.
Social and Community Context: Social cohesion, civic participation, incarceration. Strong social support improves physical and mental well-being.
Incorporating SDOH data into EHRs can help identify at-risk populations and their specific health-harming needs. With this insight, care teams can better address root causes of health issues through referrals to social services, community programs, and resources that meet basic needs. This supportive, multi-dimensional approach could help reduce preventable illnesses and close healthcare disparity gaps over time.