Browsing by Author "Casalino, Lawrence P."

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    The associations between query-based and directed health information exchange with potentially avoidable use of health care services
    (Wiley, 2019-05-21) Vest, Joshua R.; Unruh, Mark Aaron; Shapiro, Jason S.; Casalino, Lawrence P.; Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health
    Objective To quantify the impact of two approaches (directed and query‐based) to health information exchange (HIE) on potentially avoidable use of health care services. Data Sources/Study Setting Data on ambulatory care providers’ adoption of HIE were merged with Medicare fee‐for‐service claims from 2008 to 2014. Providers were from 13 counties in New York served by the Rochester Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO). Study Design Linear regression models with provider and year fixed effects were used to estimate changes in the probability of utilization outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries attributed to providers adopting directed and/or query‐based HIE compared with beneficiaries attributed to providers who had not adopted HIE. Data Collection Providers’ HIE adoption status was determined through Rochester RHIO registration records. RHIO and claims data were linked via National Provider Identifiers. Principal Findings Query‐based HIE adoption was associated with a 0.2 percentage point reduction in the probability of an ambulatory care sensitive hospitalization and a 1.1 percentage point decrease in the likelihood of an unplanned readmission. Directed HIE adoption was not associated with any outcome. Conclusions The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) EHR certification criteria includes requirements for directed HIE, but not query‐based HIE. Pending further research, certification criteria should place equal weight on facilitating query‐based and directed exchange.
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    The complementary nature of query-based and directed health information exchange in primary care practice
    (Oxford Academic, 2020-01) Vest, Joshua R.; Unruh, Mark A.; Casalino, Lawrence P.; Shapiro, Jason S.; Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health
    Objective Many policymakers and advocates assume that directed and query-based health information exchange (HIE) work together to meet organizations’ interoperability needs, but this is not grounded in a substantial evidence base. This study sought to clarify the relationship between the usage of these 2 approaches to HIE. Materials and Methods System user log files from a regional HIE organization and electronic health record system were combined to model the usage of HIE associated with a patient visit at 3 federally qualified health centers in New York. Regression models tested the hypothesis that directed HIE usage was associated with query-based usage and adjusted for factors reflective of the FITT (Fit between Individuals, Task & Technology) framework. Follow-up interviews with 8 key informants helped interpret findings. Results Usage of query-based HIE occurred in 3.1% of encounters and directed HIE in 23.5%. Query-based usage was 0.6 percentage points higher when directed HIE provided imaging information, and 4.8 percentage points higher when directed HIE provided clinical documents. The probability of query-based HIE was lower for specialist visits, higher for postdischarge visits, and higher for encounters with nurse practitioners. Informants used query-based HIE after directed HIE to obtain additional information, support transitions of care, or in cases of abnormal results. Discussion The complementary nature of directed and query-based HIE indicates that both HIE functionalities should be incorporated into EHR Certification Criteria. Conclusions Quantitative and qualitative findings suggest that directed and query-based HIE exist in a complementary manner in ambulatory care settings.