Early Work Starts on HIT Safety Center

Government contractor RTI International will aid the federal government in determining the scope and functions of a new national health information technology safety center.


Government contractor RTI International will aid the federal government in determining the scope and functions of a new national health information technology safety center.

Under a contract awarded by the Office of the National Coordinator for HIT, the contractor will build a road map for development of the center, defining the focus, functions, governance and value of such a center, according to an RTI announcement.

ONC envisions the center as a public-private entity. Now, RTI will convene stakeholders to work out the details on such initiatives as educational events, research, a supporting web site identifying IT safety engagement opportunities, and studying recent evidence on health IT safety, according to a scope of the contract work from ONC. An optional task includes an analysis by RTI of an adverse event database.

The contract award of $778,956 is for one year, but there is an option year if necessary.