Friday, November 22, 2024
11/22/2024
Project Goal: As the Tennessee Regional Extension Center (REC), QSource will make health information technology (HIT) adoption assistance available to all providers with priority given to small practice primary care providers (PCPs) serving underserved patient populations. QSource will facilitate widespread HIT adoption using statewide and individualized educational and technical assistance in coordination with state activities. Project Key Objectives: Outreach goals are 1) promoting widespread HIT adoption, and 2) available grant and loan opportunities through Medicare and Medicaid, and 3) disseminating best practices and research on HIT, 4) architecture, 5) electronic health record (EHR) selection and 6) workflow redesign. Individualized support goals are 1) facilitating certified EHR selection and implementation for PCPs without EHRs, or those whose systems fail to meet meaningful use criteria, , and 2) providing technical assistance in achieving meaningful use to those who already have a system. Workforce development goals are 1) developing certification programs for technology centers and community colleges, and 2) coordinating curricula, including HIT internships, with post-secondary institutes. Approach: QSource will build upon existent statewide and regional technology frameworks and training/workforce development programs with intensive technical assistance emphasizing PCPs in small practices (<10 providers). QSource will prioritize providers in counties demonstrating the greatest need characterized by low income, rural, low HIT adoption and service provision primarily though Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) Of an estimated 5,235 priority PCPs, QSource will target a minimum of 1,535 (29%) in REC contract years one and two, 1, 074. with no EHR and 461 with an EHR. QSource will track EHR implementation phases with associated milestones. Phase one will set the baseline for provider readiness and for measuring progress towards meaningful use in the final phase. REC services will include 1) EHR selection and group purchasing, 2) HER implementation assistance, 3) workflow redesign 4) HIT interoperability 4) education and adherence to state and federal requirements, 5) HIT workforce development, and 6) improving quality. The REC will support providers statewide with real-time telephonic support from HIT experts and localized contracted partners and operational extenders divided equally across the three Grand Regions. Additional support will evolve from workforce development activities at technology centers, community colleges and universities, creating a greater opportunity to identify local HIT extension agents, particularly in rural areas. Anticipated Outcomes: 1) Recruitment of high priority PCPs in largely rural areas will 2) allow providers to achieve meaningful use, 3) thereby qualifying for Medicare/Medicaid incentive funds, 4) which will enable greater functionality and interoperability and 5) increase the demand for a qualified workforce, 6) creating a vehicle for training and development of a substantial HIT workforce. By the end of the first two-year period, Project products will include: regular reporting of progress and activities, participation in the National Learning Consortium, financial status reports, and a report of a sustainable business model.
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).
