Exchanging clinical data within service areas establishes a foundation for connecting communities through a statewide health information exchange. Enabling treating providers to share health information about a patient improves the overall safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of health care delivery. Collaboration among providers on technology and privacy and security policy plays a critical role in communities to effectively share vital patient information. Developing sound policy pertaining to privacy and security that is agreed upon within service area health information exchanges (SAHIEs) is an essential first step in connecting providers. The Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) convened a workgroup at the request of health care stakeholders to develop a resource guide containing privacy and security policy and technology guidance for providers in the planning stages of a SAHIE.
Hospitals typically serve as the convener of a SAHIE initiative as they have the technical resources, established connections to the provider community and other essential stakeholders, and posses much of the data that is required in care delivery. In 2008, MHCC conducted a health information technology assessment of Maryland hospitals. Findings from the assessment indicated that few SAHIEs exist formally and that most of them are exchanging some patient information electronically. Nearly all hospitals indicated that they are evaluating data sharing opportunities. Information contained in this resource guide is intended to assist providers that are planning to share electronic patient information with guidance as they move forward with implementing a SAHIE.
Service Area Health Information Exchange: Environmental Scan Results 
Service Area Health Information Exchange: A Hospital Data Sharing Community Resource Guide