Rapidly Connect to HIE

Health Information Exchanges Growing Nationwide

Current Industry news headlines are filled with advancements in health information technology. Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) is one topic we've been hearing a lot about. State, regional, community or hospital HIEs seem to be developing across the country. Although many of the HIEs have not reached into the homecare and hospice industry yet, we see interest quickly rising.

So, how can a HIE benefit your agency? HIEs enable healthcare information to be mobilized electronically across a health system, a region, a community or a state and provide a solution to transport clinical information through multiple providers and information systems. HIEs offer a solution to access and retrieve clinical data in a safe, quick and efficient way so that physicians and clinicians can provide a high standard of care through multiple providers.

According to Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act is one step towards nationwide adoption and meaningful use of health information technology (health IT). The federal government is to award $386 million to 40 States and qualified State-Designated Entities to enable the exchange of health information across the health care system both within and between states through the State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program.

It is expected that the State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program will jump start HIEs across the nation. To learn more about these initiatives visit http://healthit.hhs.gov

As HIEs grow, the need for homecare and hospice agencies to connect to the network will become essential to providing patient-centered care. But before agencies can consider partnering with health information exchanges they will first need to implement an electronic medical record (EMR) system that can support data exchange to an HIE.

Agencies will need to choose an EMR system that can achieve tight integration enabling connectivity to other healthcare providers via HIEs. The ability to connect home health and hospice to the full continuum of healthcare providers and services will result in improved patient care.

Does your current technology platform have the ability to rapidly connect to your regional, state or enterprise health information exchange?

Our experts can help you effectively implement an electronic medical record technology strategy that will enable you to connect to HIEs. Call 717.283.0980 or email learnmore@thornberryltd.com