A group of 13 health information and information technology organizations this week outlined its recommendations to advance the adoption of a national health information network.

This network would allow healthcare providers and patients to exchange health information to improve patient care. Long-term care is seen as a healthcare segment trailing many others when it comes to information technology connectivity, yet it is one plagued with some of the heaviest regulatory burdens.

The group’s goals for the information technology system include common, non-proprietary, consensus-driven standards and methods for their adoption; interconnectivity; and uniform policies to protect patient privacy and the security of information.

The group, which presented its ideas before Dr. David Brailer, national coordinator for Health Information Technology, includes the American Health Information Management Association, eHealth Initiative, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and National Alliance for Health Information Technology.