RECOVERY Study and Report on Availability of Open Source Health Info

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Study and Report on Availability of Open Source Health Info



The purpose of this requirement is to conduct a study and produce a report for HHS on the Availability of Open Source Health Information Technology Systems. This study is mandated in Section 4104b of Title IV of the HITECH Act of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The statute requires that the Secretary of HHS, no later than October 1, 2010, submit a report to Congress on the findings and conclusions of the study to determine the availability, functionality, interoperability and value of open source technology systems along with recommendations for such legislative and administrative action as the Secretary determines appropriate.



Key Research Questions that must be addressed by the final report produced are:



1. What is the current availability of open source health information technology

systems, especially for use by Federal safety net providers (including small, rural

providers)?



2. What is the total cost of these systems and how does this compare to the total cost of

proprietary commercial products currently in use?



3. Can existing open source systems address the needs of diverse populations (e.g.

children, disabled)?



4. Are open source systems capable of facilitating the interoperability of health information?



5. Can open source systems be used to support the meaningful use of health information

technology?