Health Information Technology & Telehealth

Health Information Technology

In rural communities, the application of Health Information Technology (HIT) enables the coordination of care, as well as the maintenance of the continuum of care across the nation. HIT encompasses the use of technology to store, protect, retrieve, and transfer information electronically within healthcare settings.

The potentials of HIT are to reduce medication errors; increase sharing of health information between providers, laboratories, pharmacies, and patients; ensure safer patient transitions between healthcare settings; and reduce duplicative and unnecessary testing.

Using HIT to drive improvements in healthcare requires the support of many diverse stakeholders in the healthcare system, including practicing clinicians, hospitals, payers, and HIT suppliers.

Funding for HIT Initiatives

Few grants specifically state they will fund HIT initiatives supporting the expenditures of hardware, software, and training necessary for the implementation and use of electronic health records, e-prescribing, computerized provider order entries, electronic transmittal of medical tests, and decision support systems.

However, there are several grants that will support healthcare quality, patient safety, healthcare access, workforce training programs, and controlling the cost of healthcare. These grants might not specifically state that they fund HIT, but HIT is seen as a solution to improve these healthcare initiatives. The following federal organizations and agencies may offer grant opportunities that support HIT efforts:

• Agency for Heath Research and Quality (AHRQ)
• Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)
• National Library of Medicine (NLM)
• Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP)
• Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT)
• USDA Rural Development
• Universal Service Fund (FCC)

Telehealth

Telehealth is the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical healthcare, patient and professional health-related education, public health, and health administration. Utilizing telehealth in rural areas to deliver healthcare services can reduce or minimize challenges and burdens patients encounter that are unique to remote locations.

Grant Programs

• The Telehealth Network Grant Program uses telehealth networks to expand and improve access, coordination, and quality of healthcare services and health information in urban, rural, and frontier communities.
• The Telehealth Resource Center Program delivers telehealth technical assistance and shares expertise through individual consults, trainings, webinars, and conference presentations.