Value of Information Sharing in Using Healthcare Information Technology: A Systematic Review

GOAL: The primary goal of this systematic review is to assess the impact of healthcare information technology (HIT) applications on information sharing within and between healthcare organizations (HCOs) and their associated performance outcomes. This study is motivated by the significant growth in electronic health record adoption and other advanced technologies spurred by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009. Despite this growth, there remains a gap in understanding where HIT adds value and how it affects various performance outcomes, particularly through information sharing in the healthcare sector. METHODS: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-P 2020) methodology, this review focuses on empirical studies that examine the use and adoption of HIT in healthcare settings. The inclusion criteria targeted studies evaluating the impact of information sharing within or among HCOs through the use of HIT. The 66 papers that met our criteria were analyzed using Porter's value chain framework, which examines both intraorganizational and interorganizational activities to understand where value is created. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The review reveals that HIT applications primarily enhance internal operations within HCOs, with 55% of the studies focusing on this aspect. In contrast, information sharing across multiple HCOs remains limited, with only 14% of the studies addressing this area. While quality improvement and cost reduction are the most frequently mentioned expected outcomes, surprisingly, productivity emerges as the most studied outcome variable, present in 33% of the articles. Most studies were conducted in the United States (67%), and physicians were the most frequently studied users of HIT, followed by nurses and other designated staff. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The findings highlight the need for broader connectivity across the healthcare ecosystem. While private networks like Epic Cosmos and CommonWell facilitate data exchange, they remain confined within specific electronic health record systems, creating silos. The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement offers a more comprehensive approach, promoting universal and scalable information sharing across all stakeholders. To realize this potential, healthcare leaders must actively pursue the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement integration, standardize performance metrics, and foster collaboration to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.