Accrediting HIEs

An idea whose time has come?

October 30, 2013

HIMSS Analytics Findings

• ~3/4 of hospital respondents indicated that they were participating in an HIO– Does not ensure complete access to patient

information– Data sharing within HIOs is not robust– Reducing the value of the information that is

available to healthcare providers

• It should be safe to assume that physician practices and other small clinical environments are having an even harder time determining a viable strategy for HIE, making the robust sharing of health information more of a distant reality.

Overall Hospital Participation

Data Sharing Challenges

Excuses for Non-Participation

Data Sharing Methods

How to Enhance Participation

• Resolve user pain points– The ability to analyze data across patient

populations and getting access to data beyond their enterprise

– deliver lab and radiology results electronically – Up front interface costs and charges based on EHR

in use or contemplated

• Treat them like customers– Listen intently their needs and try to respond to

them– Aggregate and make available clinical data– Think about what else you could do that would

have value for your customers and then validate whether they want you to do that and be willing to pay for it

Presenting EHNAC

• The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission

• A voluntary, self-governing standards development organization (SDO)

• Established to develop standard criteria and accredit organizations that electronically exchange health care data

• Founded in 1993, a tax-exempt 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization

• Partnering with  Texas Health Services Authority (THSA) to develop a state accreditation program for public and private HIE organizations operating in Texas

A Test Case in Texas

• A joint venture• Accrediting organizations

facilitating the electronic exchange of health information every two years

• A variety of technical standards and specifications – no mandates

• The main purpose is to establish trust

“The providers and all stakeholders need to recognize that by at least mandating and trying to say to entities that we’re not going to do business

unless an organization

has achieved a certain

level of either accreditation or certification.”

EHNAC Executive Director Lee Barrett

References

Barriers, Challenges and Opportunities with Information Sharing in HIEs: Output/Print Environments

HIE adoption: Value of resolving user pain points at IHIE

HIE participation gaining with hospitals but faxing persists

What ensuring trust means to health information exchange