IBM tests tech for NHIN

Last week IBM announced its technology approach for managing the pending Nationwide Health Information Network, which will offer physicians, patients, hospitals, labs and pharmacies to share data from any location. IBM announced that it was developing a service oriented architecture to connect data locations, built on an interoperability standard published by the Health Information Technology Standards Panel. The IBM effort is also drawing on the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise framework sponsored by the Electronic Records Vendors Association. Vendor partners include McKesson, Allscripts, Meditech, CapMed, Surescripts and CTIS.

"IBM is testing the technology in three healthcare marketplaces, including Research Triangle/Pinehurst, NC, Guilford and Rockingham Counties, NC/Danville, VA and mid-Hudson Valley, NY. The prototype ties together seven hospitals and 24 physicians, with hospitals including Duke University Health System, FirstHealth of the Carolinas and Vassar Brothers Medical Center.

For more about the new NHIN technology:
- read this IBM press release