Having accurate and timely information available to medical personnel is critical in providing quality healthcare. With the increased demand of mobilizing health care information, health information exchanges (HIEs) were established. The healthcare information exchange was designed to allow patient information be electronically accessible across an organization, region, community or hospital system. (1) The initial concept of HIE was to reduce cost of patient care, improve speed, quality and safety of medical information. (2)
Background
Over the past few year’s health information technology landscape has experienced rapid change. In the 1990s Regional and community Health Information Organizations (RHIOs) were created in many states. These RHIOs are the building blocks in developing a national network.
The Office of National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology was created in 2004. The ONC is currently collaborating with RHIOs in an effort to implement and use the most advanced health information technology and the exchange of health information. (4)
Since there are multiple exchanges, varying standards and architecture, the ability to establish uniform data and transmission standards has been difficult. Thus the ONC is still in the process of collaborating working on developing standards and compliance monitoring programs.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has supported state and regional coordination of health care IT systems for years. In 2007 the Texas State legislature the Texas Health Services Authority (THSA) in promoting and coordinating the implementation and exchange of HIE in Texas. (5)
In 2014, the traditional funding received from the State HIE Cooperative Agreement program had expired. The THSA has developed a strategic plan on continuing to guide the HIEs in meeting the increased demand
