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What are the benefits to joining an existing network?

There are many benefits to joining an existing Health Center Controlled Network (HCCN) versus purchasing an EHR independently. The biggest benefit to joining a network is that a health center can gain valuable insights from collaborative efforts towards adopting and implementing health IT. The lessons learned from other member organizations' experiences can facilitate the start of health IT adoption. In terms of a health IT implementation, participation in a HCCN allows greater access to a higher level and larger depth of expertise, thereby reducing the cost and burden of locating and hiring experienced personnel.

Resources:

• Due Diligence Guide for Health Centers When Considering a Network Approach to Adopting HIT (Word - 81 KB)  - Developed by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), this document is a guide for health centers to assist them in conducting due diligence. (2008)
• Community Health Center Information Systems Assessment: Issues and Opportunities  - Developed by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago (NORC) for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), this report assesses the experiences of certain health centers and health center networks implementing IT programs, and describes the challenges faced by both health centers and health center networks in adopting IT, achieving gains from the use of IT, and sustaining those gains over time. (2005)