Linking children's health information systems: clinical care, public health, emergency medical systems, and schools.

This article describes health information systems used for children in a variety of settings (eg, clinical care, public health, emergency medicine systems, and schools) and their current ability to exchange information. The potential benefits from linking these systems are considered, as well as the barriers to linkage. In addition, an example of efforts linking information systems together is summarized, and conclusions are drawn from this example for future efforts.