Our October Health TechNet meeting focused on the status and future possibilities of Health Information Exchanges-- regional networks of providers that implement an electronic health information system. Often referred to as RHIOs, these systems appear to have great promise in some locations but have run into significant difficulties in others. What are the factors for success? Jim Oakes of HCIC organized a high quality program on this important topic.
The meeting will featured a presentation by Bob Steffel, CEO of Healthbridge, a Cincinnati based Health Information Exchange that serves 19 hospitals and 3000 physicians in the greater Cincinnati area. Healthbridge, which has been in live operation for 5 years, is one of the very few HIE’s in the country that has achieved financial and operational stability. In addition, Suniti Ponkshe led a discussion of HIE development in other areas in the US.