Developing Functional Model and Standards are First Step Toward Electronic Health Records
Developing a functional model and standards for an electronic health record system
From August 2003 through February 2004, Health Level Seven created an electronic health record system, as well as security standards and communications protocols.
Health Level Seven, based in Ann Arbor, Mich., is a nonprofit standards development organization.
Key Results
Health Level Seven accomplished the following:
- Created the Electronic Health Record System Functional Model. The functional model is a reference list of 132 functions organized into "functional profiles" that define how the terms are used in particular care settings (e.g., intensive care, cardiology, primary care).
- Submitted the functional model for a vote by interested parties in the health care industry from August 6 to September 5, 2003. The initial ballot did not pass.
- Used comments from the ballot and feedback from six outreach meetings to revise the functional model. In 2004, the revised model passed.
Several major industry stakeholders adopted the functional model as a standard for their own companies, according to the project director.
Funding
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) provided $50,000 for the project from August 2003 to February 2004.
Recommended Reading
- Performance Measures Using Electronic Health Records
- Using Electronic Health Records to Help Coordinate Care
- How Common Are Electronic Health Records in the United States?
- RWJF Releases Study Indicating Slow Adoption of Electronic Health Records Technology
- Creating a Common Framework for Safe Electronic Health Records Sharing
- Electronic Health Records Still Not Routine Part of Medical Practice, Says New Study
- Researchers Call For Rapid Learning Through Electronic Health Records to Advance Medical Knowledge, Improve Care
- Electronic Health Records in Ambulatory Care