Regional health information organizations: a vehicle for transforming health care delivery?

Information technology (IT) has the potential to be a significant enabler in transforming the health care delivery system. New types of organizations are needed to guide the change. Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs) hold promise as agents for transformation. This essay discusses the results from a case study on how RHIOs are advancing IT adoption in the health care community. Results indicate that the RHIO model is early in its evolution. To be a catalyst of change, the RHIO must overcome privacy barriers, actively engage purchasers of care, and create compelling incentives for clinicians to adopt the RHIOs' services.