Health Information Exchange
The U.S. government established Health Information Exchange (HIE) to help improve patient care across the country. This mandate was created on the premise that sharing health information across, between, and within health communities would help enhance an individual’s healthcare experience across their lifespan (Wu & LaRue, 2017). As part of this process, many hospitals in the United States have electronic health records, but only a few participate in computerized health information exchange. Nonetheless, states have also adopted HIE as a premise for sharing patient health information between healthcare providers like hospital and nursing facilities, home health agencies, and private practice physicians. States like Texas has adopted HIE as a means of enhancing patient care and outcomes among different patient populations in the state. This paper examines the current state of development for Texas health information exchange and current participation rate.

Current State of Texas Health Information Exchange

The evolution of Texas’s healthcare market is influenced by various factors including the size and diversity of the state as well as its dependence on private sector solutions to meet public needs (National Opinion Research Center, 2013). Texas is one of the largest states in America whose geographical distribution includes several large, densely populated cities that are spread across huge stretches or rural areas. However, the state has predominantly small physician practices since nearly 75% of Texas’ physicians are in small practices. Over the past few years, Texas has experienced changes in its healthcare sector and market due to regulatory changes that permit medical institutions to employ physicians in healthcare settings for resident training programs. This has contributed to the development of more networks by hospitals and physician groups to help enhance patient care across the state. Since most hospitals and systems are seasoned electronic health users, the engage in private exchange of health information. As of 2010, Texas had spent more than $28 million in its health information exchange program. These funds were channeled toward creating a strategic and operational plan for HIE and provided by State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program (Texas Health and Human Services, 2018).

The current state of development of health information exchange in Texas entails implementation of the three strategies of the Texas State HIE plan (Texas Health Services Authority, 2017). These strategies were developed and are currently implemented as part of the strategic and operational plan created through the state HIE program. The strategic and operational plan contributed significantly to the development of HIE...…state agencies to manage health information exchange through public-private partnership. On the contrary, health information exchange in Florida is a combined effort between a previously existing state agency and a newly established organization. In this case, the previously existing Florida Agency for Health Care Administration works in collaboration with the newly established Florida Health Information Exchange to manage exchange of clinical information between healthcare providers (Health Information & Law Project, 2013).

In conclusion, health information exchange has emerged as a crucial component in improving patient care and outcomes. Technology adoption in the healthcare sector has contributed to the establishment of electronic health records for managing patient data. Healthcare providers are required to exchange clinical information electronically to help shape healthcare practices and enhance patient care processes. As a result, the U.S. government established health information exchange (HIE) to help healthcare providers exchange clinical information for improved care practices. States are increasingly developing and establishing their health information exchange infrastructures and programs. As shown in this discussion, California, Florida and New York utilize different approaches for health information exchange in comparison to Texas. Texas utilizes a thin-layer strategy that comprises local HIE organizations and has a significantly high participation rate in HIE.

References

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