The U.S Department of Health and Human Services, through the Indian Health Service, has selected General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. to build, configure, and maintain a new IHS enterprise Electronic Health Record system utilizing Oracle Cerner technology. The new EHR will replace the Resource and Patient Management System, a 40-year-old system that handles everything from patient registration to insurance billing. This updated system modernizes IHS’ health care delivery and operations, making it easier for patients and providers to access updated and accurate information when they need it. This work supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s Executive Order on Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in the Government as well as the Administration’s ongoing efforts to advance health equity and support tribal communities.
This selection was made after a detailed and rigorous federal acquisition process that was open to all vendors. Throughout the process, the IHS coordinated with tribal and urban Indian organization partners through extensive tribal engagement via tribal consultations, listening sessions, urban confers, advisory committee meetings, an Industry Day, and the participation of hundreds of tribal, urban Indian, and IHS system users in vendor product demonstrations.
“This is a major milestone in our work to deliver quality modern health care to American Indians and Alaska Natives,” said IHS Director Roselyn Tso. “With the new EHR system, patients will have better access to their own health information, providers can more effectively coordinate patient care in and out of our network, and we can better track the health of tribal communities overall.”
A cross-disciplinary technical evaluation panel evaluated the submitted proposals. The IHS selected GDIT because it had the strongest overall technical approach, demonstrated experience deploying complex information technology systems for the federal government, and is offering a highly capable EHR product that was well-received by system users participating in scenario-based demonstration sessions. As the EHR system integrator, GDIT will manage a large number of companies on its team and will be accountable to IHS for the overall performance of the EHR replacement.
“We are ready and eager to move forward with the enterprise EHR with our partners. It is time to replace our current system and ensure that IHS is keeping pace with technological advances across the health care delivery system,” said IHS Chief Information Officer and Director for the Office of Information Technology Mitchell Thornbrugh. “This Modernization – and the technology that drives it – will impact every part of our health care delivery. Most importantly, the new EHR will enable patients and their providers to have updated and accurate information to make the best health care decisions.”
The IHS chose to use an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract structure for this requirement to support the recurring needs anticipated in the enterprise EHR. Under the IDIQ contract structure, the IHS will issue specific task orders for technical support and services. This gives the IHS the ability to adjust what it purchases, incorporate lessons learned, user input, and availability of new technology.
The 10-year IHS Health Information Technology Modernization Program will help improve patient safety and outcomes, clinical quality measures, agency performance reporting, and disease management, as well as generate more accurate and complete insurance reimbursement. These enhancements will occur largely due to the increased accessibility of secure data across the enterprise by clinicians, patients, payors, and partners.
The IHS, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to 574 federally recognized tribes in 37 states. Follow the agency via social media on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
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