Chicago, November 1 -- Findings of a recent survey, which polled senior executives, physicians, health information management (HIM) and health information technology (HIT), and other healthcare professionals, shows hospitals and clinics as the dominant Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs) participants, with emergency department, diagnostic and clinical data as the most commonly shared types of information. While many healthcare providers have a high level of interest in RHIOs to help them share patient information and increase collaboration, funding and system interoperability continue to be challenges in creating these cooperative networks of healthcare organizations according to the study.

Conducted by Healthcare Informatics magazine, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), and the Association of Medical Directors Information Systems (AMDIS)--with funding support from McKesson and EMC Corporation--the survey provides insight into the drivers and challenges behind the development of RHIOs.

"The survey results showed a majority of healthcare providers are looking to RHIOs to streamline the flow of patient information and address issues such as patient safety, population health improvement, compliance, and cost reduction," said Jim Hassig, publisher, Healthcare Informatics. "However, the supporting IT systems must be in place, the initiative must be funded, and there must be executive or community leadership."
Fifty-five percent of respondents provided details about the progress of RHIO development in their communities. Among those respondents, 64% indicated that their organization was currently participating or planning to participate in a RHIO while only 36% said they did not expect their organizations to participate in the foreseeable future.

Respondents whose healthcare organizations are currently members of RHIOs noted several benefits, including the ability to share a wide variety of patient information and clinical and emergency data. These results suggest that RHIOs are enabling healthcare providers to improve patient care and meet regulatory requirements, while at the same time reduce clinical and administrative costs.

"The case for creating a RHIO was quite compelling as we looked to further advance the safety, quality and efficiency of healthcare in our region," said Dr. Todd Rowland, director of medical informatics, Bloomington Hospital in Bloomington, Ind. Rowland has worked with regional medical practices and Bloomington Hospital to develop the E-Health Collaborative to provide secure, confidential access and exchange of patient data across geographical and organizational boundaries. The E-Health Collaborative was established in 2004 and includes participation by 80% of the physician practices in the area.

More Industry Headlines