Health IT Week Focuses In on the Blue Button

September 16, 2013

Categories: Thought Leadership

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NHITBanner_125_2013National Health IT Week kicked-off Monday, with a number of events taking place throughout the week in locations around the country and with participants interacting virtually through webcasts and on Twitter via #NHITWeek and

NHITBanner_125_2013National Health IT Week kicked-off Monday, with a number of events taking place throughout the week in locations around the country and with participants interacting virtually through webcasts and on Twitter via #NHITWeek and #HealthITWeek.

In Washington, D.C, patient engagement and the Blue Button were top focus points of the 2013 Consumer Health IT Summit. The event brought together leaders from the federal, private and nonprofit sectors, all focused on the potential for further advancements and efficiencies in healthcare data access.

Among them was the National Coordinator for Health IT, Farzad Mostashari, who deftly noted that “unlocking data and information tools” will result in the largest shift yet for the field of healthcare management.

Mostashari’s point was shared by all panelists in attendance_ By increasing individual access to personal health records, we are increasing the opportunities associated with interpreting that data and making informed decisions on one’s healthcare future.

The first step is making those materials easily accessible and the Blue Button is proving to be a key foundational example. The Blue Button, a collaborative project by the Department of Health and Human Services, the White House and the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand access to personal health information, allows users to easily download their personal health records.

But on-demand access to our health records is just the beginning. As additional third party applications are developed and as the Office of the National Coordinator of Health IT continues to support the adoption of these technologies, we are sure to see major advancements in the way we interpret and put this critical data to use.

CNSI’s myHealthButton®, which leverages the Blue Button for mobile technologies, is just one example of the initiatives already being made on this front.

Throughout this week, we are excited to learn more on what our industry peers are doing to help drive the solutions that are shifting the consumer experience of healthcare management.

Check back or follow us on Twitter @CNSICorp for more updates on National Health IT Week.