The free flowing exchange of electronic health records is expected to be one of the greatest benefits of the technology, but for it to become a reality, significant infrastructure needs to be put in place. Government regulators need to develop a set of standards governing minimum requirements for formatting and systems need to be created.
While the national health information exchange still has a ways to go, states across the country are putting into place their own networks for transferring electronic health records. These systems may serve as a precursor to a national system and could also help generate more interest among providers in the technology.
The benefits of electronic information exchange are particularly important in rural areas. Because of this, government officials in Wyoming recently announced that they have received federal approval for a statewide information exchange.
Governor Matt Mead said that the system would lead to improvements in quality and accessibility for residents of the state. It will also benefit providers and patients in more remote parts of the state that are traditionally underserved.
"Technology and broadband connectivity are great equalizers in a rural state like Wyoming," Governor Mead said. "They create efficiencies that will save money, provide better health care and in this case also assure patient safety. This is a great step towards an exchange of information that allows health care providers to access vital information when and where it is needed."
The state will receive $4.3 million over the course of the next four years to plan and implement the system.
A similar system for exchanging electronic health records recently went live in Colorado, as five local health providers joined an information exchange network. Officials from the providers said that the move will improve efficiency and make it easier for them to deliver the best quality care possible.
The system will begin transmitting lab results, medical images and physician transcription reports. It will later be updated to include more patient information and medications.
"This electronic exchange of patient information will improve care by efficiently delivering the right information at the right time to the right care providers," said Jim Shmerling, board chair of the Colorado Regional Health Information Exchange and executive officer at Children's Hospital, one of the organizations involved.