Health Information Exchanges

As defined in the HIMSS Dictionary of Healthcare Information Technology Terms, Acronyms, and Organizations, a Health Information Exchange (HIE) "provides the capability to electronically move clinical information among disparate healthcare information systems, and maintain the meaning of the information being exchanged."  The goals of HIEs include: 

• Providing complete, accurate, and searchable health information, available at the point of diagnosis and care, allowing for more informed decision making to enhance the quality and reliability of health care delivery
• Improving the efficiency and convenience of care delivery by reducing delays that often occur when there is need to exchange records or paperwork
• Reducing unnecessary or repetitive tests or procedures
• Speeding diagnosis and characterization of disease, with the potential to thereby improve outcomes and reduce costs
• Reducing adverse events by improving providers’ understanding of a patient’s particular medical history, potential for drug-drug interactions, and eventually enhancing understanding of patient's metabolism or even genetic profile and likelihood of a positive or potentially harmful response to a course of treatment
• Increasing efficiencies related to administrative tasks, allowing for more interaction with, and transfer of, information to patients, caregivers, and clinical care coordinators, and others who monitor patient care
• Providing information to assist in the analysis of the health of populations

Success of HIE initiatives hinge on:

• Commitment and cooperation within and across organizations
• Reliable, secure infrastructure, applications and tools that facilitate teamwork among clinicians
• Ease of use by providers who are working across a wide spectrum of treatment settings

At the most strategic level, the objectives of health information exchanges (HIE) are similar regardless of the population it is meant to serve. However, given the variety of HIE stakeholders from wholly owned corporate entities to state governments, the requirements can vary considerably.  JCS understands the challenges involved when working with diverse organizations at local, regional, statewide, and national levels, and in both public and private business settings.   We can help your organization at all stages of HIE implementation:

Contact us today to find out more about how our consultants can help you acheive your HIE goals.