Harris Corporation, an IT company based in Melbourne, Fla., has won a four-year, $19 million contract to develop a statewide health information exchange for Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).

Officials say the exchange will support improvements in the quality, safety and efficiency of healthcare in the state.

The Harris solution will connect health entities across Florida – including physicians, hospitals, regional health information exchanges, and state government agencies – and provide timely, secure, and authorized exchange of patient health information.

Florida officials note that by leveraging the company's open, standards-based solution, the state can efficiently adapt to health policies and technologies, minimize the total cost of ownership, and build on existing regional investments for a connected Florida HIE.

"Transforming healthcare requires a fully connected health information framework," said Jim Traficant, vice president and general manager, Harris Healthcare Solutions. "Florida is one of the largest states in the country, with a significant aging and transient population. The Florida HIE can become a model for the U.S. by improving patient safety and quality while lowering costs through connected and secure health care information."