Report: HHS IT strategy needs specific plans, milestones

The Government Accountability Office called on HHS to develop detailed plans and milestones for each of the three phases of its national healthcare information technology strategy and to ensure that the plans are carried out and the milestones met. The 92-page report said HHS had made progress in coordinating federal health IT efforts and reaching out to private industry but would do well to draw on lessons learned in other efforts. For example, the experience of the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments in developing national IT networks showed the value of a comprehensive communications plan that would allow technology users and would-be adopters to share progress, problems and other information. The GAO said efforts in Canada, Denmark and New Zealand highlighted the need to achieve some small but high-profile victories early on to help maintain support for long-term projects. Read the report. -- by Joseph Conn