7/31/2010 10:16:57 AM
The President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health (NFC) and the Institute of Medicine's Crossing the Quality Chasm identified improved data integration and technology as strategies to transform mental health systems. In their report, the NFC concluded that "advanced communication and information technology will empower consumers and families and will be a tool for providers to deliver the best care."
To increase information technology and data integration, the TWG charged the workgroup with developing strategies around:
The workgroup will develop technology strategies around educating the public, increasing communication and data sharing among state agencies, and increasing treatment efficiencies - such as telemedicine and videoconferencing.
To achieve these targets, the workgroup recommended strategies for:
Data integration and technology efforts extend beyond the workgroups efforts. State agencies have offered to assist community collaboratives which are developing strategies for local mental health transformation with strategies to enhance and facilitate data sharing. Furthermore, the 80th Texas Legislature established the Texas Health Services Authority, a public-private collaborative. The Authority will serve as a catalyst for the development of a seamless electronic health information infrastructure and improvement of patient safety and quality of care.