Major EHR developers, including Epic and Oracle Health, have voluntarily committed to adopting USCDI+ Cancer, a recommended set of cancer-related data elements. This aligns with the Biden Cancer Moonshot’s aim to improve interoperability and outcomes in cancer care. By standardizing data exchange and supporting new payment models, these initiatives enhance care coordination and research efficacy. Jennifer Goldsack underscores the transformative potential of digital innovation, while Dr. Danielle Carnival commends the collective effort to prioritize patient needs. This signifies a crucial step towards advancing oncology treatment and underscores the pivotal role of technology in healthcare.
In a significant stride towards enhancing oncology treatment and data sharing, major electronic health record (EHR) vendors have recently committed to adopting the United States Core Data for Interoperability Plus Cancer (USCDI+ Cancer). This initiative, recommended by the Biden Cancer Moonshot, aims to augment interoperability, promote equity, and enhance outcomes in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Among the prominent EHR developers that have embraced the CMS Enhancing Oncology Model and pledged support for USCDI+ Cancer are Epic, Oracle Health, Meditech, athenahealth, Flatiron, Ontada, ThymeCare, and CVS Health. Their voluntary commitment underscores a collective effort to incorporate essential cancer-related data elements into patients’ EHRs. Furthermore, these developers have pledged to accommodate the requisite data elements for a novel cancer care payment model devised by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The significance of this endeavor lies in its alignment with the overarching goals of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative. Launched initially in 2016 and revitalized in 2022, this multifaceted initiative endeavors to reduce costs, enhance patient care, and improve outcomes for individuals battling cancer. Central to this mission is the imperative for EHR systems to embrace interoperability and adhere to new data standards.
The adoption of USCDI+ Cancer by leading EHR developers signifies a pivotal step toward achieving these objectives. By integrating crucial information about patients’ treatment history, test results, and disease status, these initiatives seek to foster improved data sharing among healthcare providers. The anticipated outcome includes enhanced care coordination, particularly for individuals residing in rural and underserved areas, thereby advancing the collective fight against cancer on a national scale.
Moreover, standardizing data across diverse EHR platforms holds the promise of expediting research outcomes and facilitating more effective public health interventions. This concerted effort, as articulated by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), underscores the transformative potential of interoperable health data exchange in advancing oncology care delivery.
The broader context underscores the persistent challenge of fragmented health data and research silos. Former President Barack Obama highlighted this issue in 2016, noting the limited access to data among cancer patients and community oncologists. However, recent research suggests a promising shift, with an increasing percentage of cancer patients participating in clinical research studies. The emergence of initiatives like FHIR-based oncology data exchange through USCDI+ Cancer holds the promise of further improving cancer care delivery in the years ahead.
Jennifer Goldsack, representing the Digital Medicine Society, emphasizes the transformative potential of digital innovation in achieving the Cancer Moonshot’s ambitious goals. She underscores the importance of data fluidity in unlocking insights and driving progress in cancer treatment. By leveraging interoperability specifications and ensuring robust privacy and security measures, the healthcare industry can fundamentally transform care delivery, ushering in an era of learning health systems and precision medicine.
Dr. Danielle Carnival, deputy assistant to the President for the Cancer Moonshot, commends the voluntary commitment of EHR developers to prioritize the needs of clinicians and patients. This collective endeavor reflects a shared commitment to advancing cancer care and underscores the pivotal role of technology in shaping the future of healthcare delivery.
The voluntary commitment of major EHR developers to adopt USCDI+ Cancer represents a crucial milestone in the journey toward advancing oncology treatment. This collective effort underscores the industry’s commitment to improving interoperability and patient outcomes, in line with the objectives of the Biden Cancer Moonshot initiative. With a focus on standardizing data exchange and supporting innovative payment models, these initiatives pave the way for enhanced care coordination, accelerated research progress, and ultimately, improved outcomes for individuals battling cancer. This marks a pivotal moment in harnessing the power of technology to transform cancer care delivery and underscores the vital role of collaboration in driving progress in healthcare.
