Interoperable Electronic Data Exchange Is Non-Existent Among Long-Term Care Provider Organizations

Adoption of electronic health information exchange (HIE) applications by long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) providers is in the beginning phases, but interoperable exchange was non-existent as of late 2013. The primary mode of exchanging health information by LTPAC providers continues to be traditional methods: telephone, fax, and secure e-mail with PDF attachments. New processes are emerging to improve the timely and efficient exchange of information including use of: secure access to the hospital electronic health record (EHR), shared network drives to house hospital information, proprietary electronic referral applications for subscribers to exchange information, customized portals for . . .