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This past summer, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services triggered alarm among public health advocates when it directed hospitals to bypass the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention when reporting COVID-19 patient data.
President-elect Joe Biden s next moves regarding COVID-19 data reporting, and HHS as a whole, are still unknown. But the coronavirus crisis makes it clear that the huge gaps in information sharing in the United States must be addressed, says former HHS Chief Technology Officer Ed Simcox. My recommendation to HHS and Congress, and everyone else is: Now that the 21st Century Cures Act has been activated, that we step back and create a data reporting system that leverages these modern technologies, said Simcox in an interview with
The proposed rule aims to enhance patient access and smooth API-enabled data exchange by requiring the use of specific HL7 FHIR implementation guides by payers.
Practical Strategies for Healthcare Providers to Limit Claims
Involving Alleged Contraction of COVID-19 on Premises
Healthcare companies providing patient care during the pandemic
must be vigilant, not only to prevent the spread of infection on
their premises, but also to avoid lawsuits by patients, employees,
and others who claim they contracted COVID-19 on the premises. This
article describes best practices that healthcare providers should
consider for limiting such claims.
Claims that May Arise Based on Alleged Infection on
Premises
A plaintiff who claims to contract COVID-19 on a healthcare
provider s premises would likely bring some form of negligence
claim, including general negligence, premises liability, and/or