What is the main takeaway from the NHIN Phase 2 trial?
  The demonstrations at the NHIN Forum confirmed the optimism of the participants in the potential for real progress to improve quality, efficiency and access to care through the use of information technology.


What is the top challenge facing NCHICA?
With a stressed economy, the challenge will be adapting to the change in administrations at the state and national levels so that the focus and momentum is maintained and that communicating the progress of the NCHICA’s efforts over the 15 years since our founding in 1994 is beginning to have a real impact on health and care in our  state.

What role can personal health records play in health data exchange?
 Personal Health Records will provide new tools to meet the expressed needs of many consumers to have control over health information and basic registration information to facilitate visits to healthcare facilities for themselves, a spouse or perhaps chronically ill children or elderly parents.

What is the most valuable benefit reaped from NCHICA?
Members comment that NCHICA provides a trusted and neutral forum where they can participate with their peers, suppliers, government agencies, professional associations in the development of model policies, standards-based approaches to implementation of new regulations, education and professional development of staff through the various work groups and task forces.

What is your best advice to other HIEs?
Build trust in their “community” and understand that the sociology and policy are the most difficult challenges.  Once the trust factor is established, then it is much easier to reach consensus on technology approaches that will benefit the greatest number of participants.