HIMSS, Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise USA and the EHR/HIE Interoperability Workgroup are collaborating to quicken the process for connecting EHRs and health information exchanges, strengthening IWG's current EHR and HIT data transfer testing program.
Each organization brings an integral part of the interoperability and data exchange effort. IWG will offer specifications, a testing tool and a workgroup of 19 states and 47 vendors. IHE USA brings interoperability specifications, industry support and experience in system-to-system product testing. HIMSS offers public policy support and stakeholder representation.
The three organizations have selected International Computer Security Association Labs as the endeavor's testing and certification body.
"The joint effort will help pave the way for health information to be exchanged seamlessly between systems, allowing clinicians and health systems to more easily and securely share patient data,…improving patient care and lowering healthcare costs," said Dave Whitlinger, executive director of the New York-eHealth Collaborative, which coordinates the Statewide Health Information Network of New York, the parent organization for EHR/HIE WG, according to a release.
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