Which statement best describes a health information exchange (HIE)?

• A. A system that enables the electronic exchange of health information between organizations.
• B. A system that stores a patient’s personal health record on a single device.
• C. A hospital’s internal scheduling system.
• D. A form used for paper-based record transfer.

Answer: (A)

Health information exchange centers on interoperability—the ability to move and use health information securely and electronically across different organizations. An HIE acts as a system that lets clinicians access a patient’s data from multiple providers, enabling coordinated care, reducing duplicate testing, and speeding up decision-making when patients see different clinicians or facilities.

Storing a patient’s personal health record on a single device describes a standalone record that isn’t shared across organizations. An internal scheduling system is about managing appointments within one institution, not exchanging medical data. A form used for paper-based transfer is the opposite of electronic sharing.