Civitas Networks for Health has collaborated with the Maryland Health Care Commission to launch a Health Data Utility (HDU) Framework. The Framework aims to provide guidance to stakeholders on designing and implementing an HDU to support public health and care delivery. HDUs are intended to serve as data resources for use cases beyond care delivery through multi-directional data exchange. The Framework outlines four phases of HDU implementation: assessment, planning, implementation, and sustainability. The HDU Framework is a significant development for advancing interoperability efforts and supporting whole-person care delivery.
Civitas Networks for Health, an organization dedicated to promoting interoperability through collaboration, has released a Health Data Utility (HDU) Framework in partnership with the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC). The HDU Framework aims to provide guidance to states, regions, health information exchanges (HIEs), and community partners in designing and implementing an HDU that integrates data to support public health and care delivery.
HDUs are designed to serve as a data resource for use cases beyond care delivery through multi-directional data exchange. The model leverages existing infrastructure through collaboration with state and regional HIEs. By serving as a data resource, HDUs aim to support cross-sector needs and provide key stakeholders with the most comprehensive health data to make informed and proactive decisions.
The HDU Framework is intended to guide states, regions, HIEs, and community partners in designing and implementing an HDU that integrates data to support public health and care delivery. According to the framework, key characteristics of HDUs include neutrality and flexibility in meeting stakeholders’ goals, broad geography, cooperative state and local leadership, broad governance, designated authority, multi-stakeholder, cross-sector participation, inclusive governance strategy, sustainable financing, modular infrastructure, and advanced technical services.
“There is a tremendous promise with HDU models to further interoperability efforts, advance health equity, and more effectively support whole-person care delivery by providing key stakeholders with the most comprehensive health data they need to make informed and proactive decisions,” said Lisa Bari, CEO of Civitas Networks for Health.
The HDU Framework aims to assist collaborators and entities within states in assessing readiness and identifying the next steps for HDU adoption. The document outlines four phases of HDU implementation: assessment, planning, implementation, and sustainability.
Assessment involves conducting an environmental scan that analyzes conditions for achieving and maintaining HDU status and policy levers to support planning and implementation. Planning involves organizing activities by convening key stakeholders, establishing an oversight committee, and making action plans with measurable goals and objectives. Implementation involves coordinating resources with stakeholders to maximize efficiency, moving data exchange and analysis plans into action, and conducting ongoing assessments of progress and quality. Sustainability involves securing diverse and comprehensive funding and integrating continuous quality improvement strategies.
“Health Data Utilities not only bring forward richer health data sets, but they ensure the most complete data privacy and security protections are upheld in the process,” said Craig Behm, CEO of the Chesapeake Regional Information System for Our Patients (CRISP) in Maryland. “This is the result of utilizing existing infrastructure, trusted relationships, and deep knowledge of local regulations,” added Behm, who also serves as the national advisor of the Health Data Utility Framework.
The HDU Framework is a significant development for advancing interoperability efforts and supporting whole-person care delivery. By providing key stakeholders with the most comprehensive health data, HDUs aim to support cross-sector needs, promote health equity, and enable informed and proactive decision-making. The HDU Framework serves as a useful guide for states, regions, HIEs, and community partners in designing and implementing an HDU that integrates data to support public health and care delivery.
