We enjoyed our time at the 2024 Civitas Networks for Health annual meeting in Detroit, Michigan. After a few great days of learning, sharing, networking, and catching up with friends and colleagues, we wanted to share our thoughts.

Key Conference Takeaways

• Transparency and Trust: Building trust through clear and accurate AI integration.
• Incremental Change: Adopting new technologies gradually to ensure smooth transitions.
• HIE Knowledge Sharing and Evolution: Enhancing healthcare delivery through regional collaboration and unique practices and transitioning Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) into Community Information Exchanges (CIEs) or Health Data Utilities (HDUs) to remain viable and sustainable.
• Interoperability in Hawaii: We presented our session, understanding the critical role of interoperability in enhancing healthcare delivery in Hawaii.

Transparency and Trust in AI Integration

A central theme was the importance of transparency and trust, particularly when integrating AI into healthcare systems. Attendees explored how AI can alleviate provider burdens by summarizing data rather than providing full transcripts, ensuring that providers can review and trust the information. The challenge of marking AI-generated data within Electronic Health Records (EHRs) was addressed to maintain clarity and trust for providers and patients.

Incremental Change for Smooth Transitions

Incremental change was highlighted as a practical approach to adopting new technologies and practices. This method allows for gradual improvements without overwhelming the system, fostering a smoother transition and greater acceptance among healthcare professionals.

Enhancing Healthcare Through HIE Knowledge Sharing

Health Information Exchange (HIE) knowledge sharing emerged as essential for success. Different regions have unique policies and practices for sharing electronic health records, which can significantly enhance healthcare delivery strategies, especially for specific demographics such as those in the foster care system. The focus on patient-centered control of health records continues to be a priority, embedded in most HIE and government strategies.

Interoperability: A Major Topic

No surprise, interoperability was another major topic, with discussions around collaboration, standards, care coordination, and data exchange. The Health Data Utility (HDU) model garnered significant interest, with many HIEs considering it for their evolution. Technology and interoperability are rapidly expanding in behavioral health agencies, enhancing outcomes through technical assistance and risk assessment support.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Data and CIE

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) data continuously evolves, particularly in standardizing and exchanging Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) screening data, following Gravity Project standards. New York’s Statewide Health Information Network (SHIN-NY) was highlighted for its work in this area.

Community care and whole-person treatment were also major topics, emphasizing how communities can leverage interoperability to promote person-centered, holistic care, specifically focusing on the Community Information Exchange (CIE) model, including discussions about HIEs evolving into CIEs. With value-based payment models becoming more prevalent, the ability to share data with community-based organizations is crucial for promoting whole-person care.

Several health information exchanges are leading the way in connecting providers and addressing health-related social needs. Those not yet making this transition need to do so to remain viable sources of information for payers, providers, and patients. Continuing to discuss the evolving roles of HIEs, another central theme was the growing emphasis on Health Data Utilities. By providing additional services beyond mere connectivity, such as aggregating and transforming data into useful information, HIEs are filling critical gaps in the information landscape. It’s becoming increasingly clear that HIEs must evolve into CIEs, HDUs, or both to remain sustainable and viable.

Our Session on Interoperability in Hawaii

During the conference, we had the opportunity to facilitate a session on the critical role of interoperability in enhancing the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare delivery in Hawaii. Achieving interoperability is complex and requires careful assessment and planning with state entities and healthcare providers.

Briljent partnered with the Hawaii Health Information Exchange (HHIE) and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii (HAH) to assess the readiness of state healthcare providers to implement future changes in health data exchange standards. Leveraging lessons from the Maui wildfires and COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaii aims to invest in a robust, interoperable statewide health data exchange system to ensure seamless, effective healthcare during future emergencies. Rahul Maitra, COO and General Counsel of HHIE, and Denise Knipp, Briljent Senior Business Analyst, presented the steps to conduct this assessment with providers and their results, providing valuable insights for attendees.

Conclusion

The meeting underscored the importance of incremental change, transparency, and integrating AI and interoperability to improve healthcare delivery. Discussions highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare through technology, collaboration, and patient-centered approaches. We’re all in! Thanks for another great conference, Civitas organizers and sponsors!