Question

Explain challenges related to HIE

Answer 1

Lack of formal standards for electronic health information exchange-

Providers (who exchange electronic information) must adhere to the same standards to promote interoperability in order to be understood and used in Electronic Health Records.

Lack of clarity about requirements & non-standardized rules and regulations for privacy

State policies regarding privacy vary from state to state, making it difficult for providers to exchange health information effectively. There is a general lack of understanding of variations in the privacy rules of different states making inter-state compliance difficult.

Limited accuracy in matching patients to their health records

There is no national patient identifier that would aid the accuracy and efficiency of matching patients to their records when exchanging health information.

High cost of exchanging health information

Costs associated with health information exchange are generally quite high. Additional funds might need to be invested in ensuring the smooth functioning of the system.