Health information exchanges can play a vital role in supporting research and patient outcomes, particularly in the context of COVID-19.   

What's more, says Wisconsin Statewide Health Information Network CEO Joe Kachelski, they have the power to provide visibility beyond any single organization – and to simplify the population health data-collection and application process.  

"Health information exchange is fundamentally about the quality of care delivered to patients," said Kachelski, who will present at HIMSS22 in Orlando this March. "But it goes beyond informing clinical decision-making at the point of care and enabling coordination of care.  

"We have the power, and the responsibility, to turn data into information and help our participants turn information into knowledge," he said.  

According to Kachelski, WISHIN was one of the first HIEs in the country to participate in the eHealth Exchange. His team is also closely following the implementation of TEFCA, given its interoperability potential.   

"We know that the delivery of care and the need for reliable exchange doesn’t stop at the state border," he said.  

Kachelski noted the importance of HIEs – and data visibility – when it comes to improving health outcomes.

"When it comes to improving quality, the adage is true – you can’t improve what you can’t measure," he said. "And measurement relies on statistically valid data.

"HIEs can simplify and automate the process of collecting the data that is needed for retrospective quality analyses such as HEDIS® measures," he added, noting that WISHIN has successfully completed the NCQA Data Aggregator Validation process.

"But the real-time nature of the clinical data shared with and through HIEs means that the most complete and current data can be applied as clinical decisions are being made," he continued.  

He also addressed what he sees as a few misconceptions in this arena – namely, that supporting value-based care is optional for HIEs. On the contrary, he said, "I think it’s mandatory. It is a golden opportunity to deliver, as we say, 'unique and indispensable value.'"   

Another misconception, he said, involves expectations that HIEs must deliver the entire universe of data from all possible sources in order to deliver value. "Of course, more is better, but some is better than none," he said. "HIEs are in a unique position to bring more data and more information to their participants than they would otherwise be able to access.   

"The perfect doesn’t have to be the enemy of the good," he added.  

Health information exchange works best, said Kachelski, with maximum participation. "Fundamentally, our goal is to be a source of unique and indispensable value to our participants," he said.  

He hopes that HIMSS22 attendees come away from his panel having learned that "innovation is not optional. It’s mandatory."    

"But it is doable," he said, "If HIEs recognize their strengths and leverage them properly."  

Kachelski and KPI Ninja Director of Quality Programs Renee Towne will discuss more in their panel, "Dispelling the Misconceptions Hindering HIE Evolution." It's scheduled for Wednesday, March 16, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Orange County Convention Center W311A.

Kat Jercich is senior editor of Healthcare IT News.
Twitter: @kjercich
Email: kjercich@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.