CMS introduced a new database that will assist healthcare organizations with the electronic exchange of health information as part of the MyHealthEData initiative, the agency announced June 21.
The Data Elements Library is a free, centralized resource organizations can use to access certain types of data CMS requires post-acute care facilities provide for health assessments of their patients. No patient-identifiable data is stored in the DEL but it does include nationally agreed upon health IT standards that support the collection and sharing of health information among various EHRs.
The assessments involve standardized questions and responses about patients, including demographics, medical problems and other types of health evaluations. These insights are used by CMS for payment, quality measurement and quality improvement.
"We're excited to add this important building block to the foundation for interoperability that CMS is helping to establish," said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. "The DEL supports the use and sharing of data, and aligns with MyHealthEData, a governmentwide effort strengthening the interoperability of health information. It also closely aligns with CMS' Patients Over Paperwork initiative focused on reducing administrative burden and costs while improving care coordination, outcomes and patients' ability to make decisions about their own care."
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