Maine to Launch its HIE

HDM Breaking News, January 16, 2008

Providers in Maine this winter will start a large-scale, two-year demonstration of a statewide health information exchange.

The HealthInfoNet network is funded with more than $4 million from foundations, provider organizations, and state and federal government agencies. The network will start with four delivery systems comprising 14 hospitals and affiliated physicians. Also participating will be a large independent primary care practice, an independent rural “safety net” hospital and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than 2,000 physicians will participate in the demonstration project. Participating physicians and hospitals account for more than half of the state’s annual inpatient admissions and 40% of outpatient visits. The goal is to expand the network statewide following the demonstration to serve Maine’s 1.3 million residents.

The HealthInfoNet initiative was started in early 2006. The organization selected its technology vendors in March 2007. Salt Lake City-based 3M Health Information Systems is supplying the clinical data repository, master patient index and data dictionary applications. Orion Health, Santa Monica, Calif., will provide an integration engine, Web portal and a library of customizable templates.

More information is available at hinfonet.org.

For more information on related topics, visit the following channels:

• Health Information Exchange
• Hospitals
• Group Practices