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Surescripts CEO sees 'a much more interconnected and digitized healthcare system' ahead
Modern Healthcare
|November 7, 2018
Summary
Electronic health record (EHR) systems are widespread, shifting focus to health data exchange. Surescripts, a key health information network, facilitated 9.7 billion transactions in 2015, highlighting progress in interoperability.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Health Information Exchange
- Electronic Health Records
Background:
- Widespread adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems in hospitals and physician offices.
- The increasing need for interoperability and seamless patient information exchange between disparate health IT systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of Surescripts, a major health information exchange network, in advancing health data sharing.
- To understand the impact of e-prescribing on achieving meaningful interoperability in healthcare.
Main Methods:
- Interview with Surescripts CEO Tom Skelton by a Modern Healthcare health IT reporter.
- Analysis of Surescripts' reported transaction volume and growth.
Main Results:
- Surescripts handled 9.7 billion electronic transactions in 2015, a 48% increase from the previous year.
- The company, formed in 2008, is jointly owned by pharmacy trade groups and PBMs, positioning it centrally in health data exchange.
Conclusions:
- E-prescribing networks like Surescripts play a critical role in enabling health data exchange.
- Significant growth in electronic transactions indicates progress toward achieving healthcare interoperability.