Advancing Hawaii Health Data Exchange for Better Care
Hawaii Health Data Exchange and Interoperability
Hawaii is taking significant steps toward improving health data interoperability and ensuring real-time access to health information for providers, public health agencies, and community health organizations. At the Civitas Annual Conference 2024, health care leaders Rahul Maitra from Hawai’i Health Information Exchange (HHIE) and Denise Knipp from Briljent explored the state’s strategy for enhancing health information exchange (HIE), expanding provider readiness, and addressing data-sharing challenges in residential and indigenous communities.
Through a collaborative effort between HHIE and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, stakeholders are working to modernize HIE platforms, enhance provider participation, and create a more connected health data ecosystem.
Building a Stronger Hawaii Health Data Infrastructure
As the state-designated HIE since 2009, HHIE has been working to improve Hawaii’s health data network, knowing it plays a crucial role in care coordination, population health management, and public health decision-making across the islands.
The HHIE-led initiative focuses on:
- Strengthening HIE adoption across hospitals, community health centers, and primary care providers.
- Today they have 600+ organizational participants, 1,350+ provider users, and 3,500+ active HIE users.
- Expanding interoperability capabilities to ensure seamless data exchange between electronic health records (EHRs) and statewide health systems.
- Addressing disparities in health data accessibility for indigenous and rural communities.
By enhancing real-time access to Hawaii health data, these initiatives support early disease detection, improved clinical workflows, and better patient outcomes.
Assessing Hawaii Providers’ Readiness for Interoperability
A key aspect of Hawaii’s health data strategy is a statewide provider readiness assessment, designed to evaluate:
- Interoperability gaps affect efficient data sharing.
- Provider priorities and concerns regarding HIE implementation.
- Alignment with national interoperability standards, such as TEFCA (Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement).
While many Hawaii health care providers are eager to adopt new health data exchange technologies, some face barriers related to infrastructure, costs, and policy regulations. The survey findings will help guide targeted solutions for improving provider engagement and system integration.
3 Key Advancements in Hawaii Health Data Exchange
Hawaii’s interoperability strategy has already led to several key improvements, including:
1. Expanding HIE Capabilities
Hawaii is implementing state-of-the-art HIE platforms that improve data accessibility, clinical decision support, and patient-centered care coordination.
2. Strengthening Provider Collaboration
Through partnerships with HHIE and the Hospital Association of Hawaii, providers can access real-time health data, ensuring timely interventions and improved public health outcomes.
3. Addressing Rural and Indigenous Health Disparities
Improved HIE connectivity ensures that residential and indigenous communities in Hawaii have better access to health data and services, reducing care disparities and strengthening population health analytics.
Hurdles in Expanding Hawaii Health Data Interoperability
While progress is being made, several challenges remain in achieving full interoperability in Hawaii’s health system:
- Varied provider engagement levels due to differing priorities regarding health data interoperability.
- Technical disparities among health care organizations, requiring customized implementation approaches.
- Regulatory and funding constraints can slow the adoption of HIEs and the expansion of data sharing.
Despite these challenges, Hawaii continues to advance health data accessibility and interoperability solutions that will improve long-term health outcomes across the state.
What's Next for Hawaii Health Data and Interoperability?
Hawaii’s commitment to expanding health data interoperability is paving the way for a more integrated and data-driven health care system. Moving forward, health care leaders will focus on:
- Scaling statewide HIE adoption to strengthen real-time health data exchange.
- Advancing interoperability policies to align with national health data standards.
- Enhancing provider education and technical support to drive HIE participation.
As Hawaii continues to lead in health data modernization, these strategies will ensure improved care coordination, reduced health disparities, and stronger population health management.
