NIH’s Clinical Research Information System, built two decades ago for the nation’s largest research hospital, is due for replacement, according to Jon McKeeby, NIH Clinical Center’s CIO in Bethesda, Maryland.
The retirement of 40 of 120 IT employees, many possessing critical knowledge of the legacy EHR system, poses challenges, McKeeby explained at the AFCEA Bethesda Health IT Summit. He emphasized the complexity and dependency on specific individuals and skills, making maintenance difficult.
Collaborating with the Mitre Corporation, NIH has developed over 1,000 requirements for the new EHR, which aims to expedite the agency’s utilization of artificial intelligence. McKeeby highlighted the potential for a new EHR to facilitate AI implementation, aiding in data interpretation and supporting clinical decision-making.
In the broader context, healthcare seeks AI advancements to alleviate administrative burdens and enhance the clinician experience within EHRs, as noted by Paul Brient, athenahealth’s chief product officer. Peter Shen, Siemens Healthineers’ digital and automation business head, emphasized the importance of safety, transparency, and ethics in utilizing AI for personalized clinical decisions.
