Final answer:
To support an HIE, standards, infrastructure for data aggregation and regional networks, and a virtual national network must exist. Policies for sharing digital records must balance cost, quality of life, and privacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to support a Health Information Exchange (HIE), several foundational elements must be present. First, there are standards that facilitate the uniform exchange of data among different health information systems. Second, there must be an infrastructure to support aggregation of data into a singular patient record. Third, this infrastructure must also have the capacity to support a regional network, ensuring localized data exchange. Lastly, the linkage of these regional networks is crucial to establish a cohesive, virtual national network that enables health data exchange on a broader scale.
When considering policies related to sharing digital records among health providers, concerns about healthcare costs, patient quality of life, and individual privacy are paramount. Policies must address the following questions:
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- How will the policies ensure a balance between effective treatments and diagnoses with the associated costs?
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- What measures will be adopted to preserve or enhance patient quality of life while implementing digital record sharing?
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- In what ways will the policies protect patients' privacy and safeguard their sensitive health information?