This is an exciting week for those involved in health information technology—and health care in general!  On Monday, September 12, President Barack Obama made it official by proclaiming the week of September 11-17 as “National Health IT Week”!  While many events are occurring in Washington, DC—the expectation is that across the nation—people will take a moment to realize the importance that health IT holds for health and health care.

Yesterday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Dr. Farzad Mostashari, the National Coordinator for Health IT, and others launched the week with a Consumer Health Summit—watching the webcast is inspiring—a window into how the country needs to make the patient (or consumer) at the center of health care.  If you need a touch (or perhaps a better word is—blast) of enthusiasm, fast forward to hear/see Todd Park identify all the health care organizations who have pledged to help patients gain electronic access to their own information.

In the president’s own words, we health IT holds remarkable potential “….to improving patient care, enabling coordination between providers and patients, reducing the risk of
dangerous drug interactions, and helping patients access prevention and disease
management services.”

As members of the health care team, it is imperative that dietitians  and dietetic technicians integrate health information technology into the care of Americans.  The powerful caveat is that now “prevention”—an area of such potential for nutrition care—is front and
center in the discussion.  Join me in celebrating the week!