Health information exchange in relation to point-of-care testing in home care: Issues in Japan

Laboratory tests, especially point-of-care testing (POCT), and related health information exchange (HIE) are necessary for patient management in the home care setting, where clinic-hospital cooperation and interprofessional collaboration are important. We raised the issues ahead of HIE in relation to POCT in home care in Japan, including issues in electronic medical record use, localized interprofessional collaboration networks with information and communication technology, personal health record use and open connectivity. HIE system may depend on the initiatives of expert communities with non-expert partnership, as well as national healthcare policies. We promote future challenges in this growing area.