The Florida Health Information Exchange, governed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, has selected nonprofit CRISP Shared Services as its data exchange technology platform. Starting July 1, the new network will go live with a significant expansion of participating organizations.
Expansion includes a nearly 5 percent increase in hospital bed coverage, representing nearly 3,500 more beds, and a nearly 200 percent increase in skilled nursing facilities participating with the network.
Mary C. Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, discussed the new features being offered by CRISP. Mayhew noted that Florida never truly implemented a system for sharing healthcare information, instead having an event notification system for admissions, transfers, and discharges.
They express hope that the new approach with CRISP will provide broader access to more robust clinical information, reducing the need for patients to repeat their healthcare information or carry physical copies of their medical records.
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Florida has a large population of individuals over 65, and the state’s healthcare system often struggles with fragmented care coordination, particularly when individuals move between hospitals, assisted living facilities, and skilled nursing facilities.
They aim to improve care coordination, especially in rural areas where access to care can be limited. The expansion of the HIE could help bridge the gap in access to clinical data between rural providers and specialists in urban areas, such as through regional network plans.
Mayhew also emphasized the importance of including behavioral health, post-acute providers, and community organizations in the HIE, but acknowledged that the expense of connectivity can be a significant barrier for smaller providers.
Craig Behm, president and CEO of CRISP Shared Services, stated that while not all hospitals are currently participating in the HIE, the network has already seen significant success in expanding hospital bed coverage and anticipates further growth following the July 1 transition.
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It will require continued effort and partnership with remaining hospitals to achieve total participation across the state.
The new network will go live on July 1, marking a significant milestone in Florida’s efforts to improve healthcare coordination and access to clinical information.
They will monitor its progress and assess its impact on patient care.
