Assignment task: The HITECH Act (2009) mandated the HIT implementation by providers as Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems which would then be interconnected regionally to exchange health information (HIE) among providers within a certain geographic area - city or state. Most cities and states have implemented HIEs for the benefit of their constituents.
1. How has HIE implementation affected the LTC (long-term care) facilities in their care delivery? (hint: Care Coordination)
2. What benefits LTCs can reap by joining HIEs?
3. What have been the LTC-specific barriers to joining HIEs? Why?
4. What recommendations would you make for encouraging LTCs to join HIEs?
5. What suggestion would you give to the city/ state to help LTCs join HIEs?