The Health Information Exchange Formation Guide (HIMSS Book Series)

Winner of HIMSS 2011 Book of the Year Award!

The HIMSS Book of the Year Award honors a book that offers outstanding practical guidance and/or strategic insight for healthcare information and management systems professionals. "The electronic exchange of health information is an essential capability that contributes to improved efficiency and patient outcomes in the healthcare delivery process. This book provides readers with the tools and resources needed to establish a successful, sustainable HIE and avoid many of the pitfalls that failed early initiatives. The authors use their own direct experience as HIE consultants, their interviews with HIE leaders and extensive research to offer a practical, step-by-step approach to forming an HIE. The book features case studies, examples, checklists, references, a high-level history and overview of HIE and a discussion of why HIE is so important. The book also describes in detail the essential steps to planning and forming a successful HIE. By providing the necessary tools and framework, the book serves to advance the successful development of HIEs and improve efficiency and outcomes in the healthcare delivery process. During a time of unprecedented change in the healthcare landscape, this guide is a timely and valuable resource for those seeking to leverage HIE to achieve quality gains and billions of dollars in saving under healthcare reform."

Laura Kolkman, RN, BSN, MS , President, Mosaica Partners, LLC Laura Kolkman has more than three decades of experience in healthcare, information technology, and consulting. She began her professional career as a registered nurse, spending 10 years in various clinical positions including: staff nurse, nurse manager, nursing instructor, and assistant director of nursing. At that point, intrigued by the potential for using information technology to improve healthcare quality, she returned to school and earned a master’s degree in computer science. After receiving her graduate degree Ms. Kolkman’s career advanced rapidly as she held a number of increasingly important management and IT-related positions. At a Fortune 50 global pharmaceutical firm, she was responsible for IT strategy, applications development and delivery, systems validation, and regulatory compliance in support of the firm’s global R&D division. In that role, she managed a staff of professionals located in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Ms. Kolkman also served as vice president and chief information officer for a $1.5 billion national pharmacy services provider where, as CIO, she was responsible for the development, implementation, and management of the firm’s IT and associated resources. In 2005, Ms. Kolkman established Mosaica Partners. The firm quickly earned a national reputation as specialists in health information exchange. The company provides a wide range of consulting services to its clients that relate to the planning, formation, operation, and optimization of health information exchanges (HIEs) and the optimization of healthcare informatics-based business process. In addition, the firm provides advice and counsel to HIE/HIT vendors with an interest in entering¾or enhancing their position¾in the health information marketplace. Ms. Kolkman is an active supporter of the health information exchange movement. She was the FY 08-09 Chair of the Health Information Exchange Steering Committee of HIMSS where, among other duties, she was actively involved in preparing the HIMSS briefing paper on the subject of health information for the (then) incoming administration of President Barack Obama. She is often invited to speak at industry conferences and is frequently quoted in the press about trends and developments in HIE. She has published many articles on subjects related to health information exchange and was a contributor to the Guide to Establishing a Regional Health Information Organization, published by HIMSS in 2007. Ms. Kolkman holds an MS in Computer Science from Western Michigan University and a BSN from the University of Michigan, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Bob Brown , Vice President, Professional Services, Mosaica Partners, LLC Bob Brown is an internationally recognized authority on consulting and the consulting process. His well-rounded background includes accomplishments in developing and delivering consulting services, developing consulting methods and tools, and product management of both financial services and technology products. He has additional management and technical level experience in publishing, telecommunications, and information systems. In 2008, Mr. Brown joined Mosaica Partners as an advisor and consultant in the areas of business and consulting practices. He led the team that developed Mosaica’s HIE maturity model, and HIE formation methodology, on which it¾and this book¾is based. In his present position, he oversees the delivery of all of Mosaica’s consulting and advisory services; often participating in engagements in the role of executive consultant or methodology exponent. He is currently focusing on the establishment of Mosaica Research, an affiliate firm that will provide market intelligence services to HIE/HIT vendors. Mr. Brown joined Mosaica Partners from Consulting Intelligence, a specialized consulting practice he established in 2004. Consulting Intelligence advises clients in the areas of sourcing, selecting, utilizing, and managing consulting firms and consulting projects. Previously, Mr. Brown was a senior consultant and subject matter professional with International Business Machines (IBM) Business Consulting Services and a member of their Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Strategy Practice. He specialized in developing, deploying and implementing CRM strategies that were designed to help IBM's clients transform their organizations to efficiently, effectively, and profitably deliver appropriate value-based experiences to their customers. Mr. Brown also taught consulting practices and methodology at IBM Executive Consulting Institute locations in Europe, North America, and Asia. One of his last assignments at IBM was Resident CRM Subject Matter Professional at IBM's North American Strategic Envisioning Center. Prior to IBM, Mr. Brown held management and technical positions with: Bank of Hawaii, Pacific TeleCommunications Council, VeriFone, and The Direct Connection Co., Inc.