Late last week the Department of Health and Human Services made moves that establish the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) as an official part of the organization. The change subdivides the office into four areas with different heads that will report to David Brailer, MD, national coordinator for health information technology. They are:

• The Office of Health Information Technology Adoption;
• The Office of Interoperability and Standards;
• The Office of Programs and Coordination; and
• The Office of Policy and Research.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology went into action because of a presidential executive order which established Brailer in his current position. While the office has been in operation over a year it was not formal until now.
   
For more information visit ONCHIT's website at www.os.dhhs.gov/healthit.