The digital health space refers to the integration of technology and health care services to improve the overall quality of health care delivery. It encompasses a wide range of innovative and emerging technologies such as wearables, telehealth, artificial intelligence, mobile health, and electronic health records (EHRs). The digital health space offers numerous benefits such as improved patient outcomes, increased access to health care, reduced costs, and improved communication and collaboration between patients and health care providers. For example, patients can now monitor their vital signs such as blood pressure and glucose levels from home using wearable devices and share the data with their doctors in real-time. Telehealth technology allows patients to consult with their health care providers remotely without having to travel to the hospital, making health care more accessible, particularly in remote or rural areas. Artificial intelligence can be used to analyze vast amounts of patient data to identify patterns, predict outcomes, and provide personalized treatment recommendations. Overall, the digital health space is rapidly evolving, and the integration of technology in health

Monday, February 12, 2024

eHealth Exchange--It all began in 2007

It only took 17 years


In November at the Annual eHealth Exchange Meeting The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), announced today that nationwide health data exchange governed by the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common AgreementSM (TEFCA) is now operational. ONC has led a multi-year, public-private process alongside its Recognized Coordinating Entity®, The Sequoia Project, Inc., to implement TEFCA, which was envisioned by the 21st Century Cures Act. As a result, patients will have increased access to their records, and health care providers and plans can improve their secure exchange of electronic health information.

This announcement is akin to the AT&T announcement the U.S. telephone network was complete, allowing calls throughout the United States connecting hundreds of local and regional telephone companies to connect a call from New York to California and in between.

This was at a time when microwave transmission was just begun and the internet was a dream of DARPA.

It began when President George W. Bush created the Office of the National Coordinantor and appointed David Berwick MD as it's founding leader.

Small things can grow into large entities. It grew from the ground up with stimulus and prodding by HHS in terms of incentives, and standards.  Carrots such as bonus payments, grants, and sticks such as penalties for not adopting EHR and market competition  catalyzed what we now present.


eHealth Exchange: eHealth Exchange is a Network of Networks also connecting federal agencies and non-federal healthcare organizations so medical data can be exchanged nationwide to improve patient care and public health.
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