Q: Are we allowed to leave the options open as far as establishing specific technological components in the technical description?

A: The primary technologies high-lighted for your project need to be presented up front so the council gets a general sense of your approach. However, because of time constraints, you most likely won't be able to evaluate too many alternatives, but you will have to put an initial "stake in the ground" A suggestion is to write your technical description picking a core based on your patient demographics vendor or lead EMR vendor, then list other vendors. (Pictures are useful because the reader's familiarity with vendors will speed the process up). When it comes to the multiple choice questions, answer as many as you can around your core solutions.

Q: What about project metrics?

A: Any discussion around metrics will be understandably preliminary, but at least try to conceptualize what you will do as you go forward. For instance, if your project will address on-line prescription ordering, then a metric measuring medical errors in a physician's office around prescription drug order might be appropriate. So you could suggest that if you get a grant that you will develop such a metric on such errors, and you will do a before and after activation analysis.

Q: When will registration close?

A: Registration ends at 11:59pm on the 15th of September, 2006.

Q: Who should be on the contact information?

A: In the statement of interest, the contact information must include the lead party as the provider. The rest of the partners should also be named. The lead party may choose to delegate day-to-day communications responsibilities, but must be prepared to be public recognized as the SOI leader. The law appropriating the funding requires a licensed Virginia provider be the lead party. The grant will be issued to the provider.

Q: Will the Applicant Conference attendees list be posted online?

A: Yes

Q: Will good ideas that aren't chosen be retained for the future?

A: Yes, and they maybe posted online as well for a virtual knowledge repository.

Q: How are economic regions defined? or are they defined by healthcare characteristics?

A: They were defined by The Council on Virginia's Future. In Virginia, there are 4 health regions with 35 different health districts within. Statewide cooperation and solutions are desirable but not required. The 8 economic regions (shown in the Applicant Conference Power points) are the key geographical areas under evaluation. Statements of Interest that address regional efforts are a high priority for the grants.

Q: How should the statement of interest be submitted?

A: It would be best submitted over the web. However, e-mail is accepted.

Q: Can organizations affiliated with Council members still submit a proposal?

A: Yes. The burden of complying with Conflict of Interest laws falls on the member of the council and not an organization that may be affiliated with them.

Q: If you are member of the health IT council will you be restricted from submitting an SOI?

A: This is under legal review.

Q: If something is created from the funds, will be able to turn it into a marketable product?

A: As far as we know there aren't restrictions, however, this is under legal review.

Q: Are there a fixed number of grants?

A: There isn't, but regional distribution is desirable.

Q: If you don't have any clients in Virginia, then how will you be able to apply for the grant money?

A: Finding a Virginian provider or providers to partner should be a high priority.

Q: We understand the Commonwealth has committed about $250,000 for an Enterprise Master Person Index (EMPI) application. What more can you tell us about this project?

A: In the 2005 Budget, the Legislature authorized $250,000 to match private funds for a pilot project to develop an EMPI (See part 2 under "2006 Appropriations Act"). This project was one of the recommendations offered by the Information Technology Task Force. Presently, the Commonwealth is moving forward with organizational efforts to create such a pilot. If your organization has such a solution, you may submit a Statement of Interest. Please note, this EMPI SOI will be separated from all others and will follow a different analysis path. This is because the EMPI will follow a different process since it is not a grant to a provider. In essence, by submitting an SOI, you are beginning this process with the Commonwealth. If you have addional questions about this topic, please contact us at healthit@governor.virginia.gov

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