In a report released today by the National eHealth Collaborative (NeHC), Maine’s health information exchange effort was recognized as one of the most highly successful in the country. HealthInfoNet, the nonprofit that built and manages the health information exchange (HIE) in Maine, was one of only 12 similar organizations highlighted in the report.

“We are delighted to have been selected to participate in this project. Maine has always been an early adopter, innovator and supporter of health information technology, and we’re proud to be highlighted as a leader in NeHC’s report and to show our state’s progress in this area,” said HealthInfoNet Executive Director and CEO, Dev Culver.

Maine’s HIE is a secure computer system used by doctors, hospitals and other caregivers to share a patient’s important health information electronically. Clinicians using the system say that access to a more complete patient health record including critical information like allergies, medications and health problems, helps them make more informed decisions and improve patient care.

NeHC chose to profile HealthInfoNet and the other 11 organizations based on their innovative strategies and business models, the value and impact they are having in their communities, and their maturity in achieving sustainability.  “With a new environment of increasing accountability in healthcare, the need for effective, sustainable HIE to improve quality, care coordination, and cost-effectiveness is becoming even more important,” said Kate Berry, CEO of NeHC.

To download the full report, go to http://nationalehealth.org/SecretsofHIESuccessRevealed.pdf. Additional information is also available at www.nationalehealth.org/HIEleaderlessons.