MINNEAPOLIS – The Open Health IT Exchange (OHITX) launched last week with the goal of promoting open health IT and interoperability.
Organizers of the Minnesota-based group said the OHITX will bring together the major players in the healthcare IT ecosystem in an open and collaborative environment to advance healthcare initiatives.
"Our vision is an open and interoperable healthcare world. We know it's not as simple as it sounds, but we all need to work together to attain this goal," said Colleen Sauter, the organization's administrator. "At OHITX, we are fiercely committed to breaking down the silos and working together to deliver the highest quality healthcare services in the most efficient manner."
Sauter said the group will focus on strategic partnerships and programming to:
* Facilitate collaboration between healthcare consumers and producers to create systems that more effectively meet providers' needs;
* Educate members of HIT industry initiatives;
* Advocate the issues facing the rural healthcare market;
* Influence healthcare policy through special programs and projects that impact adoption;
* Create opportunities to demonstrate practical use of interoperable products and services; and
* Provide a resource center with grant opportunities, education and training programs, HITECH Act materials and key contacts.
The activities of the OHITX will be shaped by its advisory committee and guided by its members, Sauter said. The advisory committee is so far comprised of:
* Deb Barger, assistant administrator, Bloomington Lake Clinic, Minneapolis, Minn.;
* Jason Boonstra, lab/radiology director, Appleton Area Health Services, Appleton, Minn.;
* Bill Doyle, MIS supervisor, University of Minnesota, Boynton Health Service, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.;
* Jackie McMahon, administrator, Minnesota Orthopedic Specialists, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.;
* Deb Ranallo, director, Medi-Sota, Dawson, Minn.;
* Bill Sonterre, partner, Valor Solutions, St. Paul, Minn.;
* John Stamm, administrator, Children's Respiratory and Critical Care Clinic, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.; and
* Sara Valentine, director of health information services, Noran Neurological Clinic, Minneapolis, Minn.;
Some additions to the committee are pending, Sauter said.
