Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN)
From March 2004 to June 2011, AIM was engaged by the Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN) to plan,
develop, implement and manage the statewide health information exchange (HIE). Under leadership of AIM’s
Gina Bianco (Perez), DHIN completed a strategic planning process, conducted a rigorous vendor selection process,
developed policies and procedures, and went live in 2007. DHIN was the first statewide clinical health information
exchange in the country and continues to be one of the most successful.
DHIN has since expanded the number and breadth of data sources and types, including public health connectivity
and participation from nearly all of the state’s healthcare providers. All but one Delaware hospital, LabCorp and
Quest Diagnostics participate in the DHIN providing data, resources and funding. By 2009, DHIN had implemented robust
HIE, including results delivery via web, fax and EHR integration; patient record search of longitudinal health information;
biosurveillance reporting; and trial implementation with the Nationwide Health Information Network. In 2010, AIM supported
DHIN in developing the infrastructure to support providers in meeting meaningful use requirements, including CCD exchange,
electronic lab orders, and immunizations reporting.
AIM achieved many successes during its six-year tenure, such as:
- Facilitated the planning and business development process in 2005, which was the foundation for DHIN’s successful implementation and operations.
- Facilitated a stakeholder-driven vendor selection process and negotiated vendor contracts on an annual basis.
- Managed the implementation of the HIE application and the technology vendor contract, which resulted in operational results delivery from four hospitals and LabCorp within six months of contract execution.
- Provided a full complement of staff to support the daily operations of DHIN, including executive direction, project management, financial management, provider relations, marketing and communications, business analysis and management.
- Developed and implemented a deployment and training program, which resulted in rapid adoption and use of the DHIN, including collaboration with Delaware’s Regional Extension Center.
- Established reporting metrics to monitor DHIN’s enrollment, usage, data exchange and EMR interface deployment.
- Negotiated contracts with electronic health record (EHR) vendors for an average of 75% rate discounts per bi-directional interface on behalf of Delaware physicians.
- Crafted the 2009 Delaware strategic and operational plan, which was among the first to be approved by the Office of the National Coordinator in May 2010, enabling Delaware to move directly to implementation funding under the State Health Information Technology Cooperative Agreement.
- Created and supported all advisory committees of the DHIN Board of Directors, including Project Management, Consumer, Clinical, Governance, Finance, and Health Information Management; as well as staffed and supported the DHIN Executive Committee.
- Facilitated seamless communication and coordination of efforts across all participating organizations, committees and stakeholder groups to ensure ongoing commitment to and sustainability of the DHIN.
- Acted as State and National spokesperson for DHIN (Gina Bianco (Perez)) and shared DHIN’s success with HIE leaders and policy-makers across the nation by presenting at state-level and national meetings and conferences (about eight per year).
- Drafted and supported the passage of legislation, which removed DHIN from the umbrella agency of the Delaware Health Care Commission and created a separate and independent State Corporation.
- Prepared and facilitated a transition plan, which transferred management and operations of the DHIN from a contractual relationship with AIM to its own organizational structure, including all financial, governance, human resources and administrative activities, agreements, policies and procedures.
For more information,visit DHIN’s website by clicking here
