Pilot Design for Virtual Clipboard Initiative Unveiled

The Sullivan Institute for Healthcare Innovation, in collaboration with the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI), HIMSS, and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), announced the release of its Virtual Clipboard Initiative pilot solution definition and design document. This document outlines the specifications for the Virtual Clipboard Initiative pilot program, including defined user functionality, pilot scope and functionality, as well as documenting future strategic design considerations.

"We expect the Virtual Clipboard Initiative to significantly improve the burdensome patient intake process—a critical and overlooked component of the health care delivery system," says Devin Jopp, Ed.D, president and CEO of WEDI. "In an unprecedented collaborative effort, key stakeholders from across the health care continuum have come together to define initial standards for mobile health care applications. Leveraging the technology that many patients already use, the pilot seeks to demonstrate dramatic improvements to the health care registration process."

The initial phase of the Virtual Clipboard Initiative pilot will be to facilitate the automated collection of critical patient health insurance and demographic information. Ultimately, the goal of the Virtual Clipboard Initiative is to create consistent standards, integration points, and security that will add value to the entire health care delivery system by increasing the quality of care, improving patient safety, and reducing administrative costs.

"We are very excited to see the Virtual Clipboard project move into the pilot phase," states Robert Tennant, director of HIT policy for MGMA. "Once implemented, this automated approach to patient intake and data transmission will significantly improve administrative efficiency—while at same time increasing patient satisfaction. By bringing together a powerful alliance of patient advocates, providers, health plans, and vendors, the Sullivan Institute, along with WEDI, are forging a clear pathway forward to better patient care."

"The Virtual Clipboard Initiative pilot is an important step forward as we progress in the multiphased approach of reengineering the flow of health care information between health plans, patients, and providers," says Lisa Gallagher, BSEE, CISM, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, vice president of technology solutions for HIMSS. "HIMSS is eager to bring the work we've undertaken with the other aligned organizations to fruition in this pilot phase of the Virtual Clipboard Initiative."

Source: Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange