Health Information Exchange (HIE) is the ability to electronically connect and exchange information between individuals (patients, physicians, pharmacists) and places (hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics). HIE is technology that allows real-time information to be shared in a secure and confidential manner so that treatment can be rendered when and where it is needed. The technology that allows the information to flow back and forth in a secure and confidential manner is the “exchange” at work! The official definition of HIE is located in the Glossary.

Example of HIE: When a patient goes into an emergency room, the exchange will make it possible for doctors to know about allergies, drug interactions, etc. that had been recorded in the patient's primary care physician's office. If that patient needs a prescription, the information can be sent electronically to a pharmacy instead of a written prescription.

Find out more about HIE and Arkansas Office of Health Information Technology (OHIT) by visiting http://ohit.arkansas.gov/Pages/default.aspx

OHIT News Sign-Up - Interested in receiving important news and notice updates? It's EASY! Just Sign-Up here!