Improving the Quality of Healthcare Through Health Information Exchange

Over the last year, interest in and recognition of the importance of health
information technology (HIT) and the mobilization of health information electronically
(health information exchange) to improve our nation’s health and healthcare has
continued to grow significantly. At the same time, interest in improving the quality
and effectiveness of healthcare has accelerated, with policies rapidly emerging from
the Administration, Congress and the private sector.

The President’s Executive
Order, issued Aug. 22, 2006, called for actions by the federal government by Jan. 1,
2007, which will increase focus on the quality and cost of healthcare, as well as drive
the adoption of standards for HIT interoperability.

eHealth Initiative’s 2006 Third Annual Survey of Health Information Exchange at the
State, Regional and Community Levels highlights trends across the U.S., analyzing
the results of 165 responses from health information exchange (HIE) initiatives
located in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

http://toolkits.ehealthinitiative.org/assets/Documents/eHI2006HIESurveyReportFinal09.25.06.pdf