Taking Immunization Workflow Mainstream

LAS VEGAS, March 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CNI Advantage, LLC (CNIADV), HIMSS, and ICSA Labs announce today, during the 2016 HIMSS Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas, a collaborative effort to publish, disseminate and advance implementation of immunization–related software capabilities to improve better outcomes, reductions in healthcare costs, and higher levels of productivity.

The use of health IT can increase the effectiveness of interventions that improve immunization rates using different technology applications, such as provider reminders, provider assessment and feedback processes, and patient reminders. In addition, integrating immunization-related capabilities into health IT systems can help both patient and providers by streamlining and improving the overall administration and acceptance process of immunizations.     

For example, by integrating immunization-related capabilities in health IT system, use by providers can:

• Improve immunization rates by making it easier for clinicians to administer appropriate vaccines
• Increase knowledge and acceptance of immunizations among patients and their caregivers, and
• Improve the tracking and safety of vaccines.

This multi-phase project includes several components that follow a variety of fulfillment steps, some already completed and others now in the works. The project began in 2013 with expected completion in 2016. The general timeline for CNIADV0 follows.

Identified Requirements (2013-2014)

• Literature Review
• Interviews with Experts and Stakeholders
• EHR Certification Incentives and Requirements

Developed Conceptual Framework (2013-2015)

• Create EHR Workflow-Centric Validation Tests (2015)
• Document Guidance for Immunization Workflow for Clinicians, EHR Vendors and Immunization Registries (2015)

Working together, CNIADV, HIMSS and ICSA Labs will widely disseminate and gain user input on tools that will help both clinicians and developers incorporate immunization-related capabilities in software. During this phase, the collaborating organizations will:

• Publish and disseminate immunization-related software requirements and testing tools for comment
• Raise awareness of the importance of integrating immunization-related capabilities into health IT
• Engage software developers in using these tools to assess compliance of their health IT
• Implement an independent process for validating immunization-related capabilities within health IT
• Gain input from users on their implementation experiences

"HIMSS and ICSA Labs will leverage their proven business experience and existing relationships with providers, clinicians, consumers, manufacturers, and federal, state and local governments to gain provider assessment and feedback, and improve immunization tracking and safety techniques that will benefit all stakeholders," said Joyce Sensmeier, MS, RN BC, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, FAAN, vice president, informatics, HIMSS North America. "The goal of the program is to educate the healthcare community on the benefits of health IT in expanding immunization awareness, including best practices as on the use of EHRs and other clinical software, to increase and improve the effectiveness of interventions that have been shown to improve immunization rates."

"Health IT systems that function well are critical especially when addressing infectious diseases," said George Japak, managing director, ICSA Labs. "Working with disparate health IT systems that are tested gives various stakeholders confidence that the immunization-related information they are handling is accurate and timely."

"CNIADV is delighted to be collaborating with HIMSS and ICSA Labs on the third phase of this CDC-funded effort," said Ann Speyer, senior vice president and chief technology officer of CNIADV.  "This phase of the project is designed to move immunization-related software support tools from development to implementation in the field."

For more information, visit www.himssinnovationcenter.org/immunizationhit                        

About HIMSS North America
HIMSS North America, a business unit within HIMSS, positively transforms health and healthcare through the best use of information technology in the United States and Canada. As a cause-based non-profit, HIMSS North America provides thought leadership, community building, professional development, public policy, and events.  HIMSS North America represents 64,000 individual members, 640 corporate members, and over 450 non-profit organizations.  Thousands of volunteers work with HIMSS to improve the quality, cost-effectiveness, access, and value of healthcare through IT.  Major initiatives within HIMSS North America include the HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition, National Health IT Week, HIMSS Innovation Center, HIMSS Interoperability Showcases™, HIMSS Health IT Value Suite, and ConCert by HIMSS™.

About ICSA Labs
ICSA Labs, an independent division of Verizon, has been providing credible, independent, third-party product assurance for end-users and enterprises since 1989. ICSA Labs provides third-party testing and certification of security and health IT products, as well as network-connected devices, to measure product compliance, reliability and performance for many of the world's top technology vendors.

About CNI Advantage
CNI Advantage (CNI ADV) is a rapidly-growing small business that provides world class management consulting, information technology, and project management services for government agencies. Certified as an 8(a) small, disadvantaged business in 2012, CNI ADV has nearly 200 employees, $15M in annual revenues, and has successfully completed more than 100 consulting projects and task order contracts. While we offer solutions across a range of subject matter areas, we have a strong focus on government healthcare and health information technology (IT). Many of our staff members are nationally-recognized experts in areas such as electronic health records (EHRs) and other types of clinical software, ONC's Meaningful Use program, the Federal Health Architecture, interoperability, FACA facilitation and coordination, health IT system usability, and the design, development, and implementation of health IT systems.

SOURCE HIMSS North America

Related Links

http://www.himss.org