Knowledge is the best tool for IT professionals hoping to weather the turbulence of healthcare initiatives. And as a vital part of its role as the industry’s chief information resource, HIMSS has produced some of the most essential reading materials to address these vital topics.

Written by some of healthcare’s brightest minds, the HIMSS 2013 library lineup addresses some of the key issues facing healthcare IT professionals today, such as accountable care organizations, patient privacy and security, interoperability and data warehousing. Most selections are available in print and electronic editions.

Addressing ACOs

With the formation of ACOs taking up an increasing share of providers’ attention, HIMSS has released two new titles that explain the rationale, components, logistics and methodology behind this new generation of provider networks.

“Accountable Care: Bridging the Health Information Technology Divide,” by Bill Spooner, Bert Reese and Colin Konschak, focuses on the development of clinically integrated ACOs and other aspects such as data analytics, business intelligence, health insurance exchanges, interoperability and revenue cycle management.

“Developing a Poly-Chronic Care Network: An Engineered, Community-Wide Approach to Disease Management,” by Pierce Story, is a comprehensive outline of the author’s solution to the constraints of clinical care resources, capacity and costs – especially in the high-risk care of the chronically ill. The book describes how PCCNs could enhance the ACO and patient-centered medical home business models.

Information privacy and security

Protecting sensitive patient information is a top priority for healthcare providers, and there are various strategies available to overcome the challenges that exist.
“Information Privacy in the Evolving Healthcare Environment” by Linda Koontz, is a critical resource for organizations searching for ways to protect patient privacy. The book tackles the most significant privacy challenges faced by the healthcare community, and it looks to the future, identifying current trends and providing a view of the changes that could occur as a consequence of these trends.

“Implementing Information Security in Healthcare: Building a Security Program,” by Terrell W. Herzig, Tom Walsh, and Lisa A. Gallagher, offers a critical and comprehensive look at healthcare security concerns in an era of powerful computer technology, increased mobility and complex regulations designed to protect personal information. The book features perspectives from more than two dozen security experts.

Interoperability issues

The key to interoperability and success with Meaningful Use is complete understanding of the SNOMED CT and HL7 V3 standards.

“Principles of Health Interoperability HL7 and SNOMED,” by Tim Benson, is an updated second edition containing sections on both imperative standards. Accessible to both relative novices and more experienced practitioners, the book outlines how interoperability between healthcare computer systems depends on the proper development, implementation and deployment of HL7 and SNOMED CT, working together as a tightly specified language.

Though the documentation of HL7 and SNOMED runs to tens of thousands of pages and creates a steep learning curve and barrier to entry, Benson provides a clear introduction to these standards, explaining the core principles for the health IT professional, student, clinician and healthcare manager.