In April 2023, PCC was the first EHR vendor to receive recognition upon completion of the newest IIP Testing and Recognition process. PCC was a guest of the Immunization Integration Program (IIP), a collaboration between AIRA, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), and Drummond Group at the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition. PCC is an electronic health record (EHR) and services company proud to partner with IIP to improve immunization data for the benefit of pediatricians and their patients. Completion of the IIP’s Testing and Recognition process gives PCC the seal of approval in terms of clinical workflows and immunizations interoperability with jurisdictional immunization information systems.
About the IIP
The Immunization Integration Program (IIP) is a collaborative effort to unite clinicians, policymakers, health IT vendors, technology partners, and health information exchanges (HIEs). The partnership works in cooperation with the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), the American Immunization Registry of Association (AIRA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC’s) National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases to improve interoperability and immunization data.
According to the IIP, the program resolves to further its agenda by testing and recognizing clinical systems for immunization-related capabilities, and by working collaboratively to improve information exchange between health partners.
PCC Featured at HIMSS 2023
“We have to be good at immunizations.” – Scott Kirby, PCC Interoperability developer
PCC's interoperability developer Scott Kirby (right) is interviewed on HIMSS TV during the April 2023 conference in Chicago.
PCC was proud to be featured as a partner of the IIP during the 2023 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition, during which PCC’s Scott Kirby, an interoperability developer and team leader, was featured on HIMSS TV for a brief interview to share more about the partnership.
“We have to be good at immunizations,” Kirby shared during the conference. “We’re pediatric-specific. [The program] seemed like something we could do, it seems like a good fit, like it would provide some feedback on things to work on, but would mostly be us really evaluating our own product and making sure we’re in line with best practices.”
To receive IIP recognition, EHRs like PCC must demonstrate key immunization capabilities, such as:
- Registering and identifying patients
- Managing cohorts
- Managing adverse events
- Managing external query, response, and reconciliation
- Recording the administration of immunizations during visits
- Reporting immunization administrations accurately to immunization registries
- Providing patient access
- Managing information for clinical decision making
- Managing inventory
The functionality also supports ONC 170.315(f)(1) "Transmit to Immunization Registries" requirements.
Benefits of Immunization Collaboratives
It’s more important than ever that health IT partners, policymakers, and clinicians have the tools to work together in the best interests of patients and communities. As a pediatric-specific EHR, PCC is committed to providing pediatricians with the tools and resources necessary to ensure key care for infants and children, who receive the vast majority of vaccinations in the United States.
Pediatricians and other clinicians benefit from health IT organizations working together -- benefits include improved interoperability, improved data quality, reduction of redundancies, and the ability for physicians to provide the right vaccine at the right time for each patient. Behind the doors of the exam room and vaccine fridge, partners like PCC and the IIP are working to ensure that the huge quantities of data surrounding vaccines is shared, stored, and updated efficiently.
Interoperability at PCC
PCC is all about connections, including connecting your practice with the vendors and data you need to practice efficiently. PCC plans include a full suite of interoperability connections ranging from immunization registries, e-labs, eligibility, electronic claims submission/electronic remittance advice (ECS/ERA), and more.
PCC updates our connections often. Be sure to check out the latest list of connections.
Want to learn more about the IIP and its work improving immunization data? Check out their website here. Learn more about PCC’s work for interoperability in pediatric practices right here.
