Health information exchanges are increasing in importance in the healthcare industry as a way to provide efficient, coordinated care for patients. The following 10 stories were reported in Becker's Hospital Review over the past month, beginning with the most recent.
1. St. Luke's, Lehigh Valley Pilot HIE Connections in Pennsylvania
St. Luke's University Health Network in Bethlehem, Pa., and Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pa., will partner with the Pennsylvania eHealth Partnership Authority to connect the organizations' individual health information exchanges to others statewide.
2. 2 New York HIEs Announce Merger
The Brooklyn Health Information Exchange and Healthix, two New York-based HIEs announced their merger, effective Dec. 1.
3. Study: Physician HIE Adoption Fueled More by Shared Patients Than Geographical Proximity
Common patients and the resulting professional relationships are a much stronger driver of health information exchange use among physicians than the geographical area the HIE covers, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Informatics Association.
4. Half of California Covered by HIEs
Health information exchange organizations currently reach 35 of California's 58 counties.
5. Study: Financial Incentives Hinder HIE Use in Hospitals
Providers are less likely to exchange data of patients with private insurance, suggesting financial incentives may be limiting health information exchange according to a study in the American Journal of Managed Care.
6. The 3 Biggest HIE Challenges
For the past 10 years, eHealth Initiative has monitored the growth of data exchange within the U.S. healthcare industry. This year's annual survey on the state of health information exchange reveals three of the biggest challenges currently facing HIEs.
7. Why, and How, Cancer Centers Should Be Proactive About HIEs
The exchange of health information between providers allows for increased care coordination and ultimately better care delivery. This is especially important for cancer patients.
8. After Months-Long Impasse, Kansas HIEs to Connect
Kansas' two largest health information exchange networks have agreed to connect following a months-long dispute over how patient data can be used by members of the other network.
9. 5 San Antonio Health Systems Connect to Regional HIE
Five health systems in San Antonio have begun connecting to the region's HIE, set to go live in early 2014.
10. First National Physician-Owned HIE Launches
OnePartner HIE, the first nationwide, physician-owned health information exchange, has opened to physicians.
More Articles on HIEs:
St. Luke's, Lehigh Valley Pilot HIE Connections in Pennsylvania
2 New York HIEs Announce Merger
Study: Physician HIE Adoption Fueled More by Shared Patients Than Geographical Proximity