IOM Proposes New Agency To Investigate Health IT
The Institute of Medicine is recommending that the federal government create a new agency to investigate the safety of health information technology systems rather than give such authority to FDA. Currently, no federal agency investigates the safety of health IT systems, and no individuals or entities are required to report health IT-related safety issues. An IOM report -- scheduled to be publicly released on Thursday -- states that FDA lacks the funds, investigative capabilities and human resources to evaluate health IT tools. IOM recommends that HHS create and fund a new, independent watchdog agency to conduct investigations of health IT safety issues and develop recommendations for health care organizations, health IT vendors and government officials. The agency would not have enforcement power.
- "Panel Recommends New Agency To Investigate Safety of Health Information Technology" (Leonard, iWatch News, 11/7).
- "IOM: New Agency Needed To Oversee Health IT Safety" (Daly, Modern Healthcare, 11/8).