Background/Knowledge Gap: Electronic Medical Records (EMR) have been implemented at UTMCK for almost 10 years in both the inpatient and outpatient ambulatory setting. Patients frequently seek medical care from systems outside of UTMCK and the sharing of medical information between systems can be inefficient. This study was undertaken in order to gauge knowledge and utilization of health information exchanges (HIEs) amongst the medical staff at UTMCK.

Methods/Design: An electronic tool was used to survey to 630 medical staff members at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville. Medical providers were MD, DO, DPM, DMD, and DDS. The survey was distributed through email, and two additional email reminders were sent. The survey was cross sectional in design and used standard frequency and distribution statistics. The survey established prevalence and rates of respondents’ answers. A Likert scale was used for “Ease of access” (1-5) responses.

Results/Findings: Respondents included 97 of 630 (15%) initially surveyed. This included 68% males, with ages evenly distributed. Of those that responded, 70% have heard of health information exchanges (HIEs), with 47% of them finding HIEs helpful. Half of those that use HIEs, use East TN Health Information Network (etHIN). Users surveyed indicated that 37% utilize HIEs for front office staff access, 27% for resident access, and 25% have access for personal use. Most found access and navigation easy or moderately easy. Tutorials were requested for the providers (29%) and for office staff (36%) by respondents.

Conclusions/Implications: Most providers that responded at UTMCK have heard of HIEs, and etHIN is the most commonly used. Most providers delegate HIE access to their office staff or residents. Less than half of respondents found HIEs helpful. A minority of respondents wanted further education and training on HIE use.

Table 1