Final answer:
The HITECH Act promotes the adoption and meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) by healthcare providers. It incentivizes healthcare organizations to implement EHR systems and strengthens HIPAA enforcement. The Act establishes the ONC and HITRC to oversee and support EHR implementation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act is a federal legislation enacted in 2009 as part of the economic stimulus package. It aims to promote the adoption and meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) by healthcare providers. HITECH incentivizes healthcare organizations to implement EHR systems by offering financial incentives, but also introduces new privacy and security requirements.
Under HITECH, healthcare providers are required to show meaningful use of certified EHR technology to qualify for incentives and avoid penalties. Meaningful use refers to using EHRs in a way that improves patient care, enhances coordination among healthcare providers, and ensures the privacy and security of patient information. The Act also includes provisions to strengthen the enforcement of HIPAA and encourages the exchange of health information through secure electronic networks.
Furthermore, HITECH established the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to oversee the implementation of EHR systems and promote interoperability between different healthcare systems. It also created the Health Information Technology Research Center (HITRC) to provide technical assistance and support to healthcare providers in adopting and using EHRs.