The basics of EDI (electronic data interchange): a pathway to the information highway

With EDI, patients such as Jane Russo can focus not on the time-consuming and often confusing business of benefit coordination, but on getting well. Similarly, the registration clerk's job is simplified thanks to a single electronic link that provides the information needed to perform his or her job accurately and efficiently. The health information management department can use EDI to maintain authority over the release of information and make the process of transferring patient information more expeditious. As EDI further evolves into the clinical arena, it will enhance care providers' access to longitudinal patient clinical records. In addition, the information highway will provide access to better information for quality assessment, outcomes management, and the development of clinical guidelines. With access to the information highway, healthcare providers, payers, and employers can take an evolutionary leap in their efforts toward coordinating truly patient-centered, high-quality care.