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What should I consider before starting a regional health information organization (RHIO)?

The process of starting a RHIO requires an integrated approach that addresses an array of technological, managerial, political, cultural, and sociological factors. A first step to starting a RHIO is to create a vision for health information exchange. This vision, or preliminary business plan, is then presented to the community for feedback. Do not underestimate the importance of achieving buy-in from the community; collaboration across multiple stakeholders is a critical ingredient to the creation of a successful RHIO.
  
To avoid common road blocks, think early about the following issues:

• Achieving buy-in for a RHIO
• Determining best practice process for resolving conflicting organizational missions
• Establishing trust within and across the RHIO
• Clarifying roles and responsibilities within the RHIO
• Creating a RHIO governance structure?
• Identifying best practices for managing finances and prioritizing projects

Many communities across the country have implemented RHIOs and can provide useful advice and guidance on the topic. A variety of tools and resources are also available to help health centers, other safety net providers and ambulatory care providers with health information exchange at the State, Regional, or Local levels.

Resources on Planning for a RHIO:

• HIEs: Strategies and Point of View  - Developed by Dell Systems, this report describes strategies for HIE development.
• Governance Models for HIE - Developed by eHealth Initiative and Thomson Reuters, this report highlights the different types of governance models for health information exchange. (2011)
• Key National Trends in HIE - Developed by Strategies for Tomorrow, this article describes the state of HIE and how it has impacted the nation.
• A Practical Approach to RHIO Formation: How an early understanding of technology can assist and accelerate the process (PDF - 530 KB)  - Developed by dbMotion, this white paper covers lessons learned from RHIO formation. (2006)