Sunday, May 19, 2024
5/19/2024
As leaders in global health informatics, health information systems (HIS) implementation, and HIV/TB, PATH and our consortium partners bring subject matter expertise and multicountry experience in response to CDC’s request for applications for the HQ Supported Development, Implementation, Use and Evaluation of Interoperable HIS for HIV/TB Control project. The consortium is led by PATH’s principal investigator (PI) Dr. Carl Leitner, an expert in HIS and standards development and adoption, and support to countries to build eHealth strategies. It is augmented by PATH experts in HIV/TB diagnostics, care, and treatment; HIS interoperability, privacy, and security experts; and organizational development. Consortium partner University of Washington’s International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) brings expertise in strengthening local informatics capacity, HIS implementation, and HIS evaluation; Indiana University’s Regenstrief Institute brings expertise in HIS architecture and information standards; and University of North Carolina’s Carolina Population Center brings expertise in HIS monitoring and evaluation. The global health community has made substantial progress toward UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 HIV targets, aided in no small part by improved access to information for decision-making through PEPFAR’s investments in interoperable digital HIS. However, as noted in the project purpose (RFA Part II. Section A.2.a.i.), significant progress is still necessary for countries to build HIS knowledge and skills, as well as strategy, policy, and governance to guide HIS capacity. Countries still require access to data exchange models for secure and confidential transmission of patient-level data. Countries also require access to and use of a standard set of validated tools that are tailored to measure effectiveness and gains in efficiency of HIS and health-related information systems to improve and strengthen the health system infrastructure. This proposal outlines our approach for achieving the project’s purpose, including its four Strategies and interconnected Activities as stated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, by employing three crosscutting approaches: (1) Providing adaptable digital health tools and technical assistance (TA) to facilitate site-level electronic data collection, storage transmission, and use of interoperable systems that maintain secure electronic data exchange protocols; (2) Mobilizing an Inter-Country Collaboration & Implementation Network (ICCIN) and leaders in HIS to provide TA to support local capacity to develop standards-based approaches to national and site-level development and adoption of eHealth strategies, unique IDs, data standards, and policies for privacy, confidentiality, and security; (3) Providing TA and tailored trainings, while catalyzing “learning by doing,” to adapt and implement global guidance and support competency-based development of capacity at the national, subnational, and site levels. The approach will be implemented by our consortium’s subject matter experts (SMEs), including our PI and other global experts, and our ICCIN, comprising regional health informatics networks, HIS implementation partners, and professional associations. These SMEs are recognized thought leaders in peer-learning networks, such as the Data Use Community, OpenHIE Implementers Network, OpenMRS Community of Practice (COP), and OpenHIE Lab Information Systems COP. The SMEs and ICCIN enhance our ability to influence country adoption of global standards in HIS application. This project thereby will increase continuous quality improvement efforts on health outcomes, leading to increased adherence to clinical guidelines, decreased loss to follow-up, and improved viral suppression.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
