The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly promotes the use of technology to improve patient safety. In 2006 the FDA updated their guidance to industry making it clear that the use of electronic systems to deliver patients safety alerts fulfilled FDA regulations and was often preferable to paper-based alerts.

FDA Chief Medical Officer, Janet Woodcock, M.D., has been a proactive advocate of the use of electronic systems to improve patient safety. The FDA has requested the help of healthcare leaders to educate healthcare providers and assist them in enrolling in online systems for patient safety alerts. The FDA has a designated a liaison to the iHealth Alliance, which governs the HCNN to maintain strong communication and coordination between the two organizations.