title: Information retrieval pathways for health information exchange in multiple care settings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine which health information exchange (HIE) technologies and information retrieval pathways healthcare professionals relied on to meet their information needs in the context of laboratory test results, radiological images and reports, and medication histories.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary data was collected over a 2-month period across 3 emergency departments, 7 primary care practices, and 2 public health clinics in New York state.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative research methods were used to collect and analyze data from semi-structured interviews and participant observation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study reveals that healthcare professionals used a complex combination of information retrieval pathways for HIE to obtain clinical information from external organizations. The choice for each approach was setting- and information-specific, but was also highly dynamic across users and their information needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings about the complex nature of information sharing in healthcare provide insights for informatics professionals about the usage of information; indicate the need for managerial support within each organization; and suggest approaches to improve systems for organizations and agencies working to expand HIE adoption.
authors: University of Copenhagen, Njalsgade 128, Bygning 24, 5. sal, 2300 København S, Denmark. E-mail: patrick.kierkegaard@di.ku.dk.
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Kierkegaard
authors: Rainu
authors: R
authors: Kaushal
authors: Joshua R
authors: JR
authors: Vest
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D066275:Health Information Exchange; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D008498:Medical Record Linkage / Q000379:methods*; D059065:Medication Reconciliation; D009518:New York; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care / Q000458:organization & administration