Study: Few RHIOs exchanging clinical data

A study reported online Dec. 11th by Health Affairs raises concerns about the ability of regional health information organizations to achieve widespread electronic clinical data exchange.

Harvard researchers surveyed 145 RHIOs early this year and found only 15 were exchanging clinical data across a range of patient populations. Five exchanged data for a specific population, such as Medicaid enrollees, the uninsured or patients with a chronic illness.

Hospitals and ambulatory care practices most frequently provided and viewed the data being exchanged. Laboratories and imaging centers were also common providers of clinical data.

Public health departments and payers provided and viewed data in nearly half of the 20 RHIOs exchanging data. Seventeen of the RHIOs exchanged test results, 14 exchanged inpatient data and medication history, and 12 exchanged outpatient care data.

[ via AHA News Now ]