Healthcare IT Insights

Health Information Exchange (HIE) is a term used to rebrand the collaborative efforts in communities and regions across the country, formerly known as Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIO).   1,2,3… 4 - yes RHIO is a 4 letter word. HIMSS states that there are more than 600 Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs) or “RHIO type” projects underway across the country; however, according to a recent eHealth survey, only seven are truly operational.

Why has it taken so long for RHIOs to take off? Think about the challenge of integrating clinical information across your own health system—from owned and affiliated entities with various vendor platforms to the boards of directors and physician practices involved. Now include competitors, payors, pharmacies, commercial labs and individuals. Multiply that challenge by infinity and remove the cogent business case that links the capital investment to realized benefits.

While interoperability is still a future state vision, Health Information Exchange (HIE) is happening now. HIE is easy to understand and apply to your organization because it takes the massive organizational dimension (regional, read multi-entity, inclusive) out of the picture in the near term. Today, proven platforms and vendors exist to assist you in achieving integration of clinical information within your own health system. An HIE solution can make sense for your organization even if you have adopted and implemented a common vendor platform, since HIE solutions serve support clinical information hand offs among independent practices, payors, pharmacies, lab companies and patients.