|
The electronic exchange of health information between physicians, hospitals, health plans and patients has increased substantially in the last year, and is reducing the cost of care and positively impacting physicians, according to a recent survey released by the eHealth Initiative (eHI).
The organization's Sixth Annual Survey of Health Information Exchange, which included responses from 150 community-based initiatives, found that the number of health information exchanges (HIEs) that report being operational and exchanging data has increased nearly 40 percent since 2008. Fifty-seven HIEs reported being operational in 2009, up from 42 initiatives in '08, according to the survey report. Forty percent reported generating cost savings from data sharing.
Primary reported areas of cost-cutting included:
· reduced staff time spent on handling lab and radiology results (26 operational initiatives);
· reduced staff time spent on clerical administration and filing (24);
· decreased dollars spent on redundant tests (17);
· decreased cost of care for chronic care patients (11); and
· reduced medication errors (10).
According to the survey, health information exchange has also had a positive impact on physician practices, allowing them to become more efficient without disrupting care. Operational initiatives reported that HIEs have impacted their practices in the following areas:
· improved access to test results and resultant efficiencies on practice (28 operational initiatives);
· improved quality of practice life (24);
· reduced staff time spent on handling lab and radiology results (23); and
· reduced staff time spent on clerical administration and filing (22).
"The survey shows the potential for health information exchange to improve efficiency and reduce health care costs nationwide. We have real examples where care delivery was improved and cost savings found," said Jennifer Covich, chief operating officer and interim CEO at eHI. "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act could significantly impact health information exchange. Now more than ever, we need to focus on what works and direct resources that way."
|