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Standards Harmonization Readiness Criteria

TIER 1

March 2, 2006

HITSP Standards Harmonization Criteria Committee

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Purpose

• The Readiness Criteria presented here are “Tier 1” or the highest level.

• Although they will require further definition and detail, to fully meet intended use in harmonization by HITSP, they represent a starting point for Panel approval and preliminary use by the Technical Committees.

• We anticipate further iterations and changes and welcome feedback.

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Foundation for Standards Harmonization

• We are planning recommendations to HITSP to adopt a primary goal and basic set of objectives as the foundation for harmonizing healthcare standards.

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Harmonization Readiness Explained

• Harmonization Readiness is determined by applying specific criteria that will allow the HITSP to select the initial set of standards most ready for use as an interlocking set to implement in support of breakthrough use cases.

• An interlocking (harmonized) set of standards requires:– Selection of initial standards based on criteria– Resolution of gaps and overlaps between selected standards– Coordinated maintenance of the set of standards based upon

feedback from use• Readiness is relative to an action for interoperability and

must be understood at the messaging level with constrained vocabulary. (delete)

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Readiness Criteria within Standards Harmonization Flow

The Community Defines a Breakthrough

ONC

Coordinates Breakthroughs with long term strategyRefines breakthroughs into use cases

HITSP

Harmonizes relevant HC standards to support widespread interoperability and interchangeBased on Community directed - use case driven process

Technical Committees

Develop business and technical requirementsSurvey landscape for candidates, gaps, duplicate standards

Propose standards for harmonizationPublish implementation guide and testing

Inventory of Standards Inventory Committee

Gathers existing inventories and suggests how to maintain

to support harmonization

Standards Readiness Criteria Committee

Develop tool for TCs to use in making recommendations to HITSP and for HITSP to

use in harmonization

Inventories of standards to consider

Inventories of standards to consider Recommend RC Tool for harmonization

RC Tool for selecting recommended standards

Use Case Charter

Recommended Standards

Criteria for Inventories

Recommend changes based upon user feedback

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Criteria as Filters

Suitable for purposeOrganization and process

CostsLife cycle maturity

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Suitable for Purpose

• To be determined suitable, standard(s) must:– Align with ONC Strategic Framework for HIT– Meet the use case business and technical criteria – Be compatible with other standards, framework,

architecture and models as determined by HITSP.– Demonstrate the flexibility and extensibility to adapt

over time– Backward, lateral and forward compatibility

considerations (Delete)

• Includes a documented discovery process of standards landscape (Delete)

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Organization and Process

Initial Criteria for SDOs:• Balance and lack of dominance by any single interest group

– Applies both to leadership and approval process• Formal development and approval processes

– Includes process for responding to input/feedback from implementers• Effective governance and funding to be responsible stewards, open

to stakeholders and able to maintain and enhance their standards• Domain relevance with history of commitment• Favorable intellectual property and licensing terms• Willingness to collaborate with other standards developers and

HITSP• Adequate consumer voice in the development process• Technology and vendor neutrality

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Costs

• Total life cycle costs including development, licensing, and use

• Lack of barriers, ease of access

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Life Cycle Maturity

• Where is standard in Life Cycle from Initial Development to Implementation?

SDO standards either, ‘draft’ or ‘approved and

published’Standard is tested

Standard matures and ITS products are

developed

Standard implementation and

change

• What is the level of standards developer support and market adoption? This must be a balance, particularly when dealing new standards, gaps and duplications.

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Other Considerations

• Existing resources of “harmonized” standards information– National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS)– Consolidated Health Informatics (CHI)– ANSI Health Informatics Standards Board (HISB)– etc

• Jurisdictional laws and regulations (HIPAA, Medicare Part D (ePrescribing), etc.)

• Accepted best practices and recommendations