Study finds HIE improves efficiency, lowers cost and improves outcomes

PARCA eNews – Feb. 18, 2017 – Following implementation of the New York HIE (health information exchange), quality of care improved along with operational efficiency, resulting in considerable cost savings and improved patient outcomes, according to a study published in the Feb. 10, 2017 issue of SSRN, the journal of the Social Science Research Network.

One of the first studies of the effects of HIEs, the study examined almost 86,000 emergency department encounters over a period of 19 months between July 1, 2012 and January 31, 2014 at four emergency departments linked to the HealthLinkNY Health Information Exchange.

During that time, there were 46,270 patient visits, which were attended by 326 physicians. The researchers chose to examine emergency room visits because ER clinicians deal with a diversity of clinical conditions in a very high-pressure environment, and they need to gather as much information about a patient as quickly as possible. 

Christina Galanis, CEO

They found that patient stays were reduced, the likelihood of readmission dropped, as did the number of physicians needed to examine patients in emergency departments. Length of stay decreased by 7%, readmissions were down 4.5% and multiple physician consultations were down 12 %.   Overall the study showed that quality of care improved along with operational efficiency, resulting in considerable cost savings and improved patient outcomes.

Christina Galanis, President and CEO of HealthlinkNY, explained the significance of the results of the ground-breaking study and the benefits of implementing an HIE.

“Now providers have the evidence they need to make HIE use a priority for their organizations," Galanis said in a press release. "The study proves that New York State’s visionary investment in HIEs is really paying off.”

Source: Healthlinkny press release and SSRN Journal