Serving Communities Health Information Organization

Introduction

The Serving Communities Health Information Organization (SCHIO) is a US nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing healthcare through the exchange and integration of health and social services information. Established in 1996, SCHIO is one of the oldest and most advanced multi-stakeholder health information exchanges (HIEs) in the United States.

Mission and Activities

SCHIO's mission is to connect hundreds of providers across various sectors to create a healthier community. It achieves this by partnering with hospitals, medical providers, laboratories, radiology centers, mental health services, substance use treatment facilities, community service providers, and other organizations to make health information widely available and meaningful.

SCHIO implements technology systems and connectivity to support the integration and workflow of health and social information into the care process. This helps reduce administrative and technological burdens on healthcare providers and enhances the quality of shared information to improve health outcomes.

Partnerships and Collaborations

In recent years, SCHIO has collaborated with several notable organizations to advance health data sharing and coordination. A significant partnership is with the Central California Alliance for Health, which enables seamless health data exchange among providers across several counties, enhancing care coordination in compliance with California's Medi-Cal initiatives and the California Data Exchange Framework.

SCHIO also works with NextGen Healthcare to leverage advanced interoperability solutions, supporting California's stringent data exchange regulations. This partnership helps healthcare providers comply with the California Health and Human Services Agency's new Data Exchange Framework (DxF), ensuring that Californians have access to their medical records at any care site.

Governance and Operations

As a California corporation, SCHIO is governed by a Board of Directors comprising representatives from local hospitals, public health, federally qualified health centers, and other healthcare organizations. This governance structure allows SCHIO to focus on improving community health through coordinated efforts among participating entities.

Role in Healthcare

SCHIO plays a crucial role in advancing healthcare by facilitating the secure exchange of health and social services information. It supports entities in creating and responding to information requests, receiving test results, and managing admissions and discharges. As a Qualified Health Information Organization (QHIO) in California, SCHIO assists in implementing the state's Data Exchange Framework, providing access to actionable data across California's health and social services system.

Impact and Future Directions

Through its comprehensive approach to health information exchange, SCHIO contributes significantly to improving health outcomes and enhancing the well-being of communities. Its expansion into cross-sector care management and referrals aligns with evolving needs in healthcare, positioning it as a leader in community health data sharing and coordination.