title: Modeling participation in the NHII: operations research approach.
abstract: Regional health information organizations (RHIOs) form the core building blocks of any approach to creating the National Health Information Infrastructure. RHIOs are computer-supported information sharing alliances composed of health care institutions that need to exchange clinical, financial or administrative data. Many uncertainties, including institution conversion costs, price-to-participate, and RHIO governance decisions make estimating the cost consequences difficult to establish. Current approaches to health information technology investment rely on a net-present-value analysis, which is inadequate to capture the dynamic, uncertain course likely to occur in the RHIO environment. Methods from operations research provide decision makers robust tools for exploring the cost and consequences of RHIO structures. We present here an initial modeling approach that allows explicit examination of RHIO structure and pricing options. Once refined, these models will provide the core of a suite of decision support tools for evaluation of RHIO pricing options, discount rates, and optimal organizational structures.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin--Madison, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia Flatley
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferris
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Jenna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marquard
mesh_terms: D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D005376:Financial Management; D006739:Hospital Administration; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity; D007256:Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008498:Medical Record Linkage; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000458:organization & administration; D018803:Models, Economic; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009874:Operations Research; D012041:Regional Medical Programs / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D018511:Systems Integration; D014481:United States