Health Informantion Exchange - Essay Example

Your full December 19, Health Information Exchange A fundamental component of USA’s HIT (Health Information Technology) infrastructure, Health Information Exchange (HIE) is the process of sharing health information in a way that the exchange of information is error prone, reliable, quick, and secure (Harman 409). The exchange of information takes place between HIM (Health Information Management) professionals, “across providers in many geographic regions of the country” (Healthcare Information and Management Systems, para.1), and HIOs (Health Information Organizations).

They continuously need to exchange information regarding health care services, patients’ case histories, patients’ advocacy rights, state and federal laws regarding health care, and data integrity. This needs a “standardized interoperable model that is patient centric, trusted, longitudinal, scalable, sustainable, and reliable” (American Health Information Management Association, para.2), and that follows HIM principles. The aim behind the implementation of HIE is to improve the quality of delivery of health care information and services, by ensuring the safety of patients’ data and accuracy of information being shared.

Healthcare costs are also reduced (Utah Health Information Network, para.2), since the system is quick and error prone. Terry (para.2) mentions a report conducted by Doctors Helping Doctors Transform Healthcare and the American College of Physicians, which states that a large number of clinicians believe that HIE will have a good effect on health care delivery, care coordination, care organizations, medical homes, third-party reporting, incentive programs, practice efficiency, and reduction of healthcare costs.

However, the biggest challenge in medical settings is the lack of HIE infrastructure and lack of interoperability between EHRs and other electronic information exchange systems. Works CitedAmerican Health Information Management Association. Health Information Exchange. AHIMA, 2012. Web. 19 Dec 2012. .Harman, Laurinda Beebe. “Health Information Exchange.” Ethical Challenges in Management of Health Inform 2e. USA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2006. Healthcare Information and Management Systems.

Health Information Exchange (HIE). HIMSS, 2012. Web. 19 Dec 2012. .Terry, Ken. “Most Doctors Want Health Information Exchange Now.” Healthcare Information Week. UBM Tech, 2012. Web. 19 Dec 2012. .Utah Health Information Network. CHIE. UHIN, 2012. Web. 19 Dec 2012. .