HIT Tool Kit Targets Rural Providers

"The federal government really is putting out a lot of resources related to HIT,  but they are from multiple departments and agencies and bureaus and it can be really confusing to figure out where to go different information," Sande says.

"So, we are just trying to help find the resources, understand which agency does what related to HIT, and provide them with some resources related to things like planning and implementation that can help them get their HIT systems up and running and meet the meaningful use standards."

Sande says the tool kit will allow rural providers to:

• Address challenges to find funding
• Support community college training programs
• Stay current on legislation affecting EHRs
• Leverage federal resources for projects

The toolkit can guide rural providers in the planning, setup, implementation and operation of an HIT infrastructure. Providers may also find nearby training programs, funding support and management expertise. Those resources are divided into categories for easy access, Sande says.