The year of the HIE

	Search GovernmentHealthIT

	Advanced Search

GHIT Notebook

February 27, 2008

The year of the HIE

When people look back on it, 2008 might well become known as the year of the health information exchange and the beginning of the national health information network that's been such a focus of federal efforts for the past four years.

Bold claims, perhaps, given the uncertain and fragmented nature of many of the projects that are underway now. Go ask those involved with them, and most will tell you they are still struggling with a host of issues that could yet sink these initiatives. Privacy, funding, governance and the pain involved with convincing those who now own the data to share it with others are just some of the problems they face.

But it could just be that the tipping point has already been reached. Consider that a recent survey of state e-health activities conducted on behalf of the National Governors Association, and highlighted at the recent Health Information Management Systems Society annual meeting in Orlando, found that nearly all states are engaged in e-health strategies. They certainly face significant challenges, but the report concludes that "a consensus has emerged that these policies and initiatives are significant and well worth the effort."

That's a far cry from just a couple of years ago, when many states were still debating whether an HIE or Regional Health Information Organization was something that would even be useful for them. It's also a far cry from this time last year, when much of the news seemed to be about failures, such as the Santa Barbara County Care Data Exchange.

It finally seems that states have realized that they can gain from implementing an e-health strategy, and that interoperable HIT has real benefit. And the fact that so many states are now committed to doing something with e-health could have a reinforcing effect. The report quotes one state official saying that "It is powerful to learn that the majority of states share similar perspectives and plans for the future....This report will open up lines of communication between state electronic HIE efforts."

It's unlikely that one report will do that, but it's clear that the thinking has gone beyond whether or not HIE's and RHIOs are worthwhile, to what to do to make them work. The efforts of outfits such as the State Alliance for e-Health are focused on finding ways to help states along the path to interoperable HIT, both within and between the states.

Robert Kolodner, the national coordinator for health information technology, told an audience at the HIMSS meeting that the NHIN would begin to become operational this year. If he had told the same HIMSS audience that last year they'd have seen it as nothing more than hubris. This year, with the example of the states' efforts to back him up, there's reason to believe he may be on to something.

By Brian Robinson

View Comments

bukkake naughty coco lesbians naughty girls fuck double fisting big bulge hard dick anal fisting punishment bondage greeting naughty birthday for her asian bukkakes teen girls naughty

Posted by Andrew on July 28, 2008

hi all. I just found a great site for warcraft gold and wow leveling. Are you all aware what wow power leveling is? It is where someone plays your character. You can also buy gold wow from Live4Game as well. Good luck to you all. If you are in the mood for Final Fantasy XI gil, then please go to FFXI Gil, Buy FFXI Gil, FFXI Gil Sale, Cheapest FFXI Gil, Buy Cheap FFXI Gil, final Fantasy XI Gil, Cheap FFXI Gil.

Posted by zoe on August 1, 2008

mac-dvd-ripper

Posted by liliana on August 19, 2008

video converter mac ，avi to dvd creator for mac

Posted by liliana on August 19, 2008