The Statewide Health Information Network for New York (SHIN-NY)

The Statewide Health Information Network for New York (SHIN-NY), like the internet, is a network of information transmitted between users. Like the internet, as more users connect, it grows, evolves, and becomes more secure, efficient, and easy to use.

As an increasing number of private practices, nursing homes, clinics and hospitals begin to digitize their records, they have the option to connect to information hubs (or RHIOs/QEs) in their region of the state. These Regional Health Information Organizations collect health record data from the healthcare providers in their area, and, with patient consent, allow this information to be shared securely with other providers in the region.

The SHIN-NY will connect these regional hubs to create a private and secure network spanning the entire State of New York.

What this means to you: The patient returning to her family physician for follow-up care after a trip to a radiologist will not need to make any phone calls to request a copy of her results. Neither will her physician. The patient will not need to remember to have images or lab results sent, nor will she need to carry her own records to different doctors by hand. Her primary care physician, when securely connected to the SHIN-NY, will have complete, accurate, and private access to the information carefully gathered by each one of the specialists the patient has visited. Fewer mistakes will be made, fewer tests repeated, and money and time will be saved on administrative details. Most importantly, the patient and doctor will have more time together to discuss treatment options and recovery.

  

NY eHealth Collaborative's Executive Director David Whitlinger discusses the strategy for the future of healthcare interoperability in the state of New York. At the heart of that strategy is the evolution of SHIN-NY 2.0 which will provide robust interoperability and create a platform for sharing data and the rapid design of new clinical applications.