HHS Selects Henley for Health IT Panel

AAFP's Executive Vice President Douglas Henley, M.D., will represent all physicians as he serves on a new blue-ribbon commission designed to bring U.S. health care into the age of electronics.

The public-private commission, the American Health Information Community, will advise HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt, who chairs the commission and appointed its 16 members Sept. 13.

"Today, if a physician has an electronic health record system, it likely cannot share health information data seamlessly with the hospital down the street or laboratory or radiological facilities or other physician offices. And it is likely such information would even be difficult to share with patients," said Henley. "The purpose of the AHIC is to agree upon common data standards for health information technology to allow for the transportability and interoperability of health information in a way that will protect patient privacy."

In an HHS news release announcing the AHIC members, Leavitt said, "From nearly anywhere in the world, we can withdraw money from our bank accounts, pay bills, apply for a mortgage, book airline tickets and even order groceries online. But if a loved one is involved in a life-threatening accident, paramedics and emergency room doctors cannot quickly check their medical histories for even the most basic things, like blood type or allergies. We can and must do better than this."

Henley is the only physicians' organizations representative on the commission. Other physician members are officers of the CDC, CMS, and the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Other members represent such organizations as the Federation of American Hospitals, BlueCross BlueShield Association, National Patient Advocate Foundation, PepsiCo Inc., SureScripts, Intel Corp., and the departments of Commerce and Treasury.

"I take seriously the responsibility to represent all physicians on this important commission, but most especially those in small and medium-sized practices," said Henley.

Five groups -- the AAFP, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, American College of Surgeons and AMA -- submitted a common list of three nominees, including Henley, to compete with a large number of other nominees. "My selection, I believe, is in recognition of AAFP's leadership -- by our Board and staff -- in the area of health information technology and EHRs, especially as they relate to small and medium-sized practices," said Henley.

What difference will AHIC make to family physicians and their patients? "It will allow family physicians to send and receive important health information seamlessly to improve patient care," said Henley.

He also serves on the federal Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology, which is developing certification principles for EHRs. The CCHIT and AHIC should make it possible for family physicians to select EHRs that are certified as meeting federal criteria and to exchange health information throughout the health care system, Henley said.