What does Health Information Exchange (HIE) facilitate?

Health Information Exchange (HIE) primarily facilitates the sharing of patient information across different platforms and organizations. This capability is essential for creating a cohesive healthcare environment where various healthcare providers—such as hospitals, clinics, and specialists—can access and exchange patient data seamlessly. By enabling the flow of information, HIE improves care coordination, enhances the quality of patient care, reduces duplicate testing, and facilitates more informed decision-making by providers.

In contrast, while secure storage of medical records is important, it is not the central purpose of HIE, which focuses more on the transference of information rather than how it is stored. Monitoring healthcare costs and professional development for healthcare staff also do not directly relate to HIE; they address different aspects of healthcare management and operational efficiency. Thus, the ability to share patient information effectively across various healthcare systems is the core purpose of HIE, making this the right answer.