The exchange of health information electronically between physicians, hospitals, health plans, and patients is decreasing the cost of care and improving outcomes, according to a new survey released by the not-for-profit eHealth Initiative on Sept. 11. The 2008 Fifth Annual Survey of Health Information Exchange at the State and Local Levels, which included responses from 130 community-based initiatives in 48 states, shows the significant impact fully operational initiatives are having on improving healthcare delivery and efficiency.
Among the key findings:
* A majority (69%) of the fully operational exchange efforts report reductions in healthcare costs. These respondents say health information exchange allows them to decrease dollars spent on redundant tests; reduce the number of patient admissions to hospitals for medication errors, allergies, or interactions; decrease the cost of care for chronically ill patients; and reduce staff time spent on administration.
* About half (52 percent) of fully operational exchange efforts report positive impacts on healthcare delivery, including a decrease in prescribing errors.
* For the first time, a majority (69 percent) of the fully operational respondents report a positive ROI for their participating stakeholders, including health plans, hospitals, laboratories, and physician practices. In 2007, just 31 percent reported a positive ROI. Access the report.
