glossary

Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO)

A RHIO is a non-governmental organization that exists as a New York State not-for-profit corporation to enable interoperable health information exchange via a common Statewide Health Information Network for New York (SHIN-NY) by participating in setting information policies through a statewide policy framework and governance process, implementing policies and ensuring adherence to such policies with a mission of governing its use in the public’s interest and for the public good to improve health care quality and safety and reduce costs. To fulfill this mission, RHIOs require commitment from multiple health care stakeholders in a geographic region, including physicians, hospitals, long term care and home care providers, patients, insurers, purchasers and government. RHIOs are responsible for enabling interoperability through which individual stakeholders are linked together – both organizationally and technically through the SHIN-NY – in a coordinated manner for health information exchange and quality and population health reporting. Source: NYS DOH HEAL 5 RGA