What is a key purpose of Health Information Exchange (HIE)?

The key purpose of Health Information Exchange (HIE) is to facilitate shared access to patient health information. HIE allows healthcare providers to securely share patient clinical data among different organizations, enabling seamless communication and collaboration across various healthcare settings. This exchange of information leads to improved patient care, as providers have access to timely and accurate health information, which is essential for making informed clinical decisions.

By supporting the interoperability of different health information systems, HIE contributes to care coordination, reduces the likelihood of medical errors, and enhances the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery. The ability to access a patient's complete health history, lab results, medications, and other critical information from various entities helps ensure that patients receive appropriate care, especially during transitions between care providers.

While the other options address important healthcare functions, they do not capture the primary role of HIE in improving communication and information sharing among healthcare providers.