Health Information Exchanges Improve Efficiency

The number of health information exchange initiatives that are transmitting patient data to doctors and other stakeholders has risen from 57 in 2009 to 73 in 2010, a 28% increase, a new eHealth Initiative survey reveals. "The State of Health Information Exchange in 2010: Connecting the Nation to Achieve Meaningful Use," was published late last month and is eHealth Initiative's latest report on the status of HIEs. Of the 234 active HIE initiatives across the country, 199 organizations responded to the annual survey. The report also noted that the number of HIEs has grown due to the establishment of 56 state designated entities (SDEs); 48 SDEs completed the survey.