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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 is using computers 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 will require the support of many diverse stakeholders in the healthcare system including practicing clinicians, hospitals, payers and HIT suppliers.

Where can I find funding for Health Information Technology 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, to name a few. There are several grants that will support healthcare quality, patient safety, healthcare access, workforce training programs, and controlling the cost of healthcare. Grants supporting these initiatives may not state specifically they fund HIT; however, 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.

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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. Technologies include videoconferencing, the internet, store-and-forward imaging, streaming media, and terrestrial and wireless communications. HRSA works to increase and improve the use of telehealth to meet the needs of underserved people by:

  • Fostering partnerships within HRSA, and with other Federal agencies, states and private sector groups to create telehealth projects.
  • Administering telehealth grant programs.
  • Providing technical assistance.
  • Evaluating the use of telehealth technologies and programs.
  • Developing telehealth policy initiatives to improve access to quality health services.
  • Promoting knowledge exchange about "best telehealth practices."

Grant Programs

  • Telehealth Network is a competitive grant program that funds projects that demonstrate the use of telehealth networks to improve healthcare services for medically underserved populations in urban, rural, and frontier communities.
  • Telehealth Resource Center is a competitive grant program that provides support for the establishment and development of Telehealth Resource Centers. These centers are to assist healthcare organizations, healthcare networks, and healthcare providers in the implementation of cost-effective telehealth programs to serve rural and medically underserved areas and populations.