title: The value of health care information exchange and interoperability.
abstract: In this paper we assess the value of electronic health care information exchange and interoperability (HIEI) between providers (hospitals and medical group practices) and independent laboratories, radiology centers, pharmacies, payers, public health departments, and other providers. We have created an HIEI taxonomy and combined published evidence with expert opinion in a cost-benefit model. Fully standardized HIEI could yield a net value of dollar 77.8 billion per year once fully implemented. Nonstandardized HIEI offers smaller positive financial returns. The clinical impact of HIEI for which quantitative estimates cannot yet be made would likely add further value. A compelling business case exists for national implementation of fully standardized HIEI.
authors.affiliation: Center for Information Technology Leadership, Partners HealthCare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Jwalker@citl.org
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adler-Milstein
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: Blackford
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Middleton
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000191:economics; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D033181:Information Dissemination; D040442:Public Health Informatics / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States