Enabling Health Reform through Regional Health Information Exchange: A Model Study from China

Abstract EN

Objective.

To investigate and share the major challenges and experiences of building a regional health information exchange system in China in the context of health reform.

Methods.

This study used interviews, focus groups, a field study, and a literature review to collect insights and analyze data.

The study examined Xinjin’s approach to developing and implementing a health information exchange project, using exchange usage data for analysis.

Results.

Within three years and after spending approximately $2.4 million (15 million RMB), Xinjin County was able to build a complete, unified, and shared information system and many electronic health record components to integrate and manage health resources for 198 health institutions in its jurisdiction, thus becoming a model of regional health information exchange for facilitating health reform.

Discussion.

Costs, benefits, experiences, and lessons were discussed, and the unique characteristics of the Xinjin case and a comparison with US cases were analyzed.

Conclusion.

The Xinjin regional health information exchange system is different from most of the others due to its government-led, government-financed approach.

Centralized and coordinated efforts played an important role in its operation.

Regional health information exchange systems have been proven critical for meeting the global challenges of health reform.