Growing Improved Patient Outcomes Through Enhanced Interoperability and Technology
Description: Modernize Indiana’s health information exchange (HIE) to connect rural healthcare facilities (hospitals, outpatient, long-term care, behavioral health), close data gaps and strengthen care coordination through EMR integration, technology enhancements, AI-driven dashboards and EMS collaboration.
Activity
Track the progress and opportunities for Initiative 3.
| Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Exchange (HIE) Provider Readiness Assessment (survey) | In Progress | |
| HIE Statements of Work: Leveraging State's Managed Service Provider (MSP) process | In Progress |
| Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) | Driven by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security EMS Division | Implemented |
FAQs
What is an HIE?
A health information exchange (HIE) is a secure system that allows healthcare providers, hospitals, public health agencies and other partners to electronically share patient health information across different organizations and systems. By enabling timely access to this data, an HIE supports public health, clinical decision making and better care coordination. The Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE), founded in 2004, is the state’s primary HIE.
How does connecting rural healthcare facilities help patients get better care?
Connecting healthcare facilities to a health information exchange improves patient care by giving providers timely access to a more complete picture of a patient’s health, regardless of where that care was delivered. This shared access has been shown to help reduce medical errors, avoid unnecessary or duplicative tests, and improve care coordination for providers across all healthcare settings.
What does it mean to “close data gaps,” and how does that affect me as a patient?
Closing data gaps refers to allowing different healthcare systems, technologies and providers to securely share and understand patient information with modern technologies, even if they use different electronic health record systems. When your health information can follow you through doctors’ offices, hospitals, pharmacies and other settings, providers have a more complete view of your medical history and don’t have to rely solely on what you remember or what exists in one system. For you as a patient, this contributes to an overall improvement in patient experience and smooth transitions between your providers.
How will EMS collaboration and improved interoperability make emergency care faster and safer?
Collaboration with EMS, through mobile integrated health (MIH), and improved interoperability will make emergency care faster and safer by extending care beyond traditional emergency response and ensuring critical patient information flows seamlessly between EMS, hospitals and community providers. Mobile integrated health programs allow EMS to assess, treat and connect patients to the most appropriate level of care, which will then be shared in near-real time to other systems. This combination may help reduce the number of times patients may have to visit the emergency room and allow you to receive timely care in locations that may be more convenient such as your home.