Blogposium: Clinical Informatics Wiki

Please visit the Clinical Informatics Wiki and my contributions to the RHIO Definition:

Regional health information networks and organizations (RHINs and RHIOs) represent connecting communities striving to adopt and implement standards-based solutions that eventually will link into the envisioned National Health Information Network (NHIN). As these collaboratives and networks of stakeholders mature, they often find the need for a formal independent organizational and governance structure with systems to ensure accountability and sustainability for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Models for these connected communities include:

• Federation – multiple independent / strong enterprises in same region
• Co-op – multiple enterprises agree to share resources and create central utility
• Hybrid – region containing both Federation and Co-op organizations

and Governance Models:

Models for connected communities:

• Federations tend to include large, “self-sufficient” enterprises agreeing to network, share, allow access to information they maintain on peer-to-peer basis. They may develop a system of indexing and/or locating data (e.g., state or region-wide MPI).
• Co-ops tend to includes mostly smaller enterprises agreeing to pool resources and create a combined, common data repository. They may share technology and administrative overhead.
• Hybrids are a combination of Federations and Co-ops and tend to agree to network, share, allow access to information they maintain on peer-to-peer basis; allowing for aggregation across large areas (statewide or regional). Hybrids may be required for statewide initiatives.

The two primary roles of the connected community’s organizational structure are Utility or Neutral/Convener/Facilitator. The Utility RHIN/RHIO provides functions such as:

• Centralized database  Patient information exchange
• Clearinghouse
• Patient information locator service

The Neutral/Convener/Facilitator RHIN/RHIO

• Builds consensus policies
• Brings together competitive enterprises
• Bridges multiple RHIN/RHIOs in geographic location
• Seeks an open-standards approach – non vendor specific

You might also be intersted in the posts on RHIO Financial Models by fellow blogger Michael Christopher or the Example Communities.  If you need help adding your state to the list of State-based Initiatives just send me an email at cthielst@cox.net. 

Feel free to contribute to these and the other topics in the new Clinical Informatics Wiki!

Comments

[emr and HIPAA]

I like the article. I wasn't completely clear on the 2 different groups: Utility or Neutral/Convener/Facilitator.

Do they work together? I think I may have also been lost in all the abbreviations around it too. Maybe that's just me any my ignorance.

I'd also think a section on the challenges and potential solutions would be a good addition to what you already have.

[Fard Johnmar]

I like the article. Can you talk a little bit on the implications of RHIOs on the federal and state levels? Would that require a separate article?