The xecutives-chime" target="_blank" class="directory-item-link">College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) has launched CIO State Network (StateNet), an online communication and resource network for healthcare chief information officers to keep abreast of state matters related to -information-technology-economic-and-clinical-health-hitech-act" target="_blank" class="directory-item-link">the HITECH Act and other state health IT activity. It’s a great idea and a strategic move for CHIME.
Establishing a statewide health information exchange, driving provider adoption of EMRs and EHRs</a>, creating a skilled workforce for health IT implementation and maintenance and assisting beacon communities and regional extension centers is an overwhelming, complex undertaking for state officials. Having an online resource for CIOs will foster collaboration among other state CIOs and provide opportunities for sharing lessons learned and best practices. It eliminates having to reinvent the wheel, which is critical given the short timelines for meeting ARRA requirements. States won’t have to be tasked with creating such a network, which is no small undertaking.
It's a smart move for CHIME, as this network will enhance the organization's trusted brand and continue to be source of education and collaboration. The network is open to the public, which will also allow non-state level CIOs to access best practices and lessons learned and apply them to their own health IT efforts.
CHIME's CIO network is exactly the type of services and tools that the healthcare industry needs more of with all the ARRA activities going on. More importantly, it's the type of work that the private sector needs to engage in to support these federal programs. One hopes we see more of these kinds of collaborative initiatives.
