United States Health Information Knowledgebase

Visit USHIK.

AHRQ provides and maintains this metadata registry of health information data element definitions, values and information models that enables browsing, comparison, synchronization and harmonization within a uniform query and interface environment.

The U.S. Health Information Knowledgebase is populated with the data elements and information models of Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) and other healthcare organizations, in such a way that public and private organizations can harmonize information formats with existing and emerging healthcare standards.

USHIK also contains data element information for government initiatives that support the use and implementation of data standards such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Consolidated Health Informatics (CHI) initiative, and the Health Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP).

USHIK employs a metadata registry methodology based on international standards in order to promote interoperability and comparability.

USHIK is housed and funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality with CMS and VA as strategic inter-agency partners.