ICA and AlliedHIE Launch National HIE

ICA (Harrisburg, Pa.) and AlliedHIE (Nashville, Tenn.) announced today a partnership that will launch a nationwide health information exchange (HIE) that will identify specific technology and communications issues within healthcare organizations and offer information exchange solutions to solve these problems. AlliedHIE is launching its efforts with a secure clinical messaging "DIRECT/HISP" pilot project and HIE infrastructure with Pennsylvania-based NHS Human Services, the largest behavioral health organization in the US, known for their industry-leading approaches to serve clients.

AlliedHIE's first pilot project is with NHS Human Services, a non-profit organization based in Lafayette Hill, Pa. NHS is dedicated to the development and implementation of programs that provide care to children and adults dealing with addictive diseases, autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health issues, elder care, traumatic brain injury, and treatment foster care. NHS is a multi-state organization with a significant presence in the state of Pennsylvania.

AlliedHIE is actively working with the Pennsylvania eHealth Collaborative in order to provide DIRECT and HISP (Health Information Service Provider) services across Pennsylvania's 67 counties.

Bolstering Allied's strategy in the HIE marketplace are recent reports by the National eHealth Collaborative and IDC Health Insights which find that too many HIEs have relied on the 'build it and they will come' strategy. Both reports assert that HIEs must plan for sustainability from the very beginning, and that if an HIE is not sustainable after initial funding, then careful consideration should be given to the viability of launch.