HIMSS Preview: HIEsExchanging Information and Ideas

Now that the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has designated approximately $500 million for development and further integration of health information exchanges (HIE), the field—which previously struggled for funding and support—is energized and expanding rapidly.

The multitude of presentations at this year’s HIMSS conference will cover the current state of HIE, as well as the challenges of moving the HIE industry toward meaningful use. Many functioning HIEs in various stages—from Maine to Indiana to Pennsylvania—will provide real-life success and challenges, with particular focus on developing a sustainable exchange.

A day-long HIE Symposium on Sunday, Feb. 28, will explore the issues and challenges facing today's HIEs and share success stories. The opening keynote address will explore the HIE national landscape, followed by an update from the Office of the National Coordinator on interoperability and the Healthcare Information Technology Regional Extension Center program.

There also will be multiple opportunities to interact with experts in the field, as well as for attendees to discuss their HIE issues and challenges with colleagues and experts from other operating HIOs. (This preconference event requires an admission fee of $275.)

While many of the educational sessions throughout the week will focus on generating funds for HIEs and the technical requirements necessary, other presenters will speak to the benefits of information exchanges, including the capability to serve rural and underserved communities, as well as speeding up connectivity and interoperability among varied healthcare facilities. In addition, speakers will weigh the benefits and caveats of the public-private entities that often support HIEs.

For session locations and other details, consult the session program onsite or visit HIMSSconference.org. And to get our daily updates of education sessions from HIMSS delivered to your inbox or mobile device, be sure you’re signed up for CMIO News at CMIO.net.

HIMSS Educational Session Preview: HIEs

Here is a sampling of the sessions focusing on HIEs.  Click on a session title for details. Opening Keynote Address: The National Landscape of HIEs Dealing with Malpractice Liability in the Use of EHRs, PHRs, and HIEs HIEs Serving Rural and Underserved Communities: Key to Success Clinical Information Exchange Closing Keynote Address: Future Horizon for HIE Meaningful Use The Transformative Role of Health IT in the States Is There a Business Case for HIE? The California Experience Community HIEs with Multiple EHRs Resulting in an Integrated Community EHR Assessing the Technical Capability of a HIE Organization Mobile HIE Interconnectivity During Natural Disasters and Medical Emergencies HIE Sustainability: Lessons Learned by the Indiana Health Information Exchange National eHealth Collaborative Town Hall: Trust Relationships for HIE Lessons Learned from an Operational HIE Maine's HealthInfoNet HIE: Achieving Sustainability Get Ready EMRs/HIEs, Here Comes One Billion Clinical Documents Using CCD in HIE: Clinical Impact, Utility and Lessons Learned