Planning Survey for the Implementation of the Puerto Rico Health Information Exchange Network

Introduction. Health Information Technology (HIT) and Health Information Exchange (HIE) are improving the quality, safety and efficiency of patient care across the United States and other countries. A planning survey study was conducted in 2011, to gather data from providers and key players in the Puerto Rico healthcare system about the need and economic feasibility of establishing the Puerto Rico Health Information Exchange Network (PRHIN). Methods. An on-line questionnaire directed toward physicians, dentists, health care professionals and health care administrators was designed, and administered using a non-probabilistic snowball sampling technique generating 77 respondents. Results. Half (50%) of respondents were physicians or dentists, more than one fourth (29%) were administrative and informatics staff, and one fifth (21%) were health care professionals. The majority (78%) agreed that HIE is necessary, while more than two thirds (71%) have already adopted some type of HIT in their workplace. Two thirds (66%) know about the Medicaid and Medicare financial incentives and from those, the majority (77%) plan to apply for those incentives. More than three quarters (87%) of the participants reported that the main obstacle to participate in the PRHIN was the implementation cost, and more than half (55%) support subscription fees as the preferred financing method. Conclusions. The implementation of HIT and HIE in Puerto Rico has significant support from healthcare providers, but more education and financial support is needed in order to become widely adopted.