Health Information Exchange in New York State
In order to improve its health care delivery system, New York State enacted the Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law for New Yorkers (HEAL NY). This multi-year, multi-phased program has two primary objectives:
The Greater Rochester RHIO was created in 2006 with funding from the HEAL NY program, as well as from local hospitals, businesses and health insurers. RHIO staff and Board representatives participate in State initiatives to establish successful HIE policies and to evaluate the progress and impact of RHIOs as they are developed.
Working with the State of New York HITEC (Health Information Technology Evaluation Consortium) and with a grant from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, the Rochester RHIO is actively evaluating how health information exchange can provide value and improve the coordination of care across our region’s healthcare delivery system.
Health Information Exchange in New York State
The Rochester RHIO is one of about 300 RHIO’s in development as the federal government promotes national standards for secure exchange of electronic health information. RHIO’s are the proposed building blocks of a national health information network first proposed by David Brailer MD and his team at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT). For more information on health information exchange nationally, visit these resources.
eHealth Initiative: A National resource for health information exchange information.
http://www.ehealthinitiative.org/
iHealthBeat: Online journal concerning health information technology.
http://www.ihealthbeat.org/
RHIO Wiki: Overview of RHIO activity nationwide.
http://www.socialtext.net/rhiowiki/index.cgi