America Talks Health Care
Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
March 21, 2003
Detroit, MI

Topic: Technology

Much of the success of the American health care system depends on the free flow of information, both clinical and administrative. We can improve the delivery of our health care system with information technology (IT). It can greatly transform health delivery in several key areas such as provide easier access to care, patient records, knowledge management, decision-making, and safety. Tools such as a computer physician order entry system (CPOE) can be used to reduce serious errors and improve care by allowing the physician to enter an order into a computer that will go directly to the pharmacy, laboratory, or radiology department. Electronic records systems can be used to decrease the amount of time doctors and other caregivers invest in tracking down lab results or find medical histories, allowing them to be with their patients for a longer period of time or respond quickly in an emergency. Patients can use the Internet to quickly and easily contact their physicians to set up an appointment, re-fill a prescription or get information on the condition of their health. The future holds even more promise.

This is the fourth in a series of Town Hall meetings with HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson. The focus of the meeting will be to discuss how health information technology can improve health care in our country – the benefits IT are bringing us now and what it can do in the future.

Overview

Agenda

Media Clips

Panelist Presentations