Interoperability between systems remains obstacle

Despite billions of federal dollars invested in health IT, exchanging patient data between healthcare systems remains a significant obstacle, according to eHealth Initiative's 10th annual survey of health information exchanges (HIEs).

Healthcare delivery organizations reported that while information exchange within hospitals’ EHR systems and health networks is routine, they are increasingly challenged by the need to interface with clinical and administrative systems outside of existing networks.

Of the 199 organizations surveyed, three-quarters reported that they have had to construct numerous interfaces between different systems to facilitate information sharing, a process that is both time consuming and expensive. Moreover, 68 organizations have had to build 10 or more interfaces with different systems, according to the survey.

Participants viewed HIEs as a viable, sustainable business that meets demands associated with healthcare reform and Meaningful Use requirements—but said the burden of sharing data between systems may threaten their sustainability.  

"The use of different standards, products and approaches for managing health information means HIEs have to spend time and money to bridge the gaps," said Jennifer Covich Bordenick, CEO, eHI. "Any groups that rely solely on federal funding, which expires next year, will not survive."

The survey also showed that many HIEs have not yet developed ways to allow patients to enter or view their own data in the health exchanges. Patient engagement services, like tools for managing appointments or prescriptions, are rare, but survey participants predict this may change as patient engagement becomes a critical step for providers looking to receive incentive payments for using EHRs.

Read more about the survey here.