More than 350 product developers from approximately 70 healthcare information technology companies gathered for this year's Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE®) North American Connectathon, held Jan. 28–Feb. 1 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

Nearly 140 healthcare information systems from about 70 companies were tested at this year's Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE®) Connectathon, held Jan. 28–Feb. 1 in Chicago. In its 11th year, the Connectathon gives companies a unique opportunity to test their software and other tools and make adjustments to products—often on the spot—to ensure compliance with IHE-endorsed standards.

The event gives companies a unique opportunity to test their software and other tools and make adjustments to products—often on the spot—to ensure compliance with IHE-endorsed standards. Nearly 140 systems were tested at this year's event.

"These folks compete voraciously out in the marketplace, but in here, they work together under the context of interoperability," said Michael Nusbaum, M.H.S.A., a healthcare IT consultant who led tours of the Connectathon.

IHE aims to standardize and optimize the way various healthcare information systems share information, enabling the goal of a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR). David S. Mendelson, M.D., chair of the IHE subcommittee of the RSNA Informatics Committee, likens the desired outcome to the current state of personal electronic banking. "We want to be able to walk up to any PC in the world with an identifier and a password and access our medical account and information contained within," he said.

A daylong educational conference, offering an overview of the initiative from IHE leaders and stakeholders as well as guided tours, drew an additional 150 attendees from provider organizations, regulatory agencies and medical IT vendors. Presenters detailed successful IHE implementation and offered perspectives on acquiring and marketing IHE-compliant products.

IHE has grown continuously since it was established in 1998 by RSNA and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Professional societies, IT vendors, provider organizations, universities, standards groups, government agencies and other stakeholders are invited to join IHE and influence its progress in North America and across the world. This year IHE International has received and approved membership applications from more than 100 interested organizations.

Recognizing that the healthcare industry is moving toward universal electronic health records through initiatives like IHE, some payors are offering financial incentives like medical liability discounts to encourage providers to adopt integrated systems. This year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin recruiting 1,200 small- to mid-sized physician practices for a five-year program that awards bonuses for using an approved electronic medical record system and for performing well using designated clinical quality measures.

Keith Bailey, a software developer for Carestream Health who participated in this year's Connectathon, said the event "combines the best of cooperation and competitive free enterprise."

Working through bugs is much faster and easier at the Connectathon than in an independent setting, added Kevin O'Donnell of Toshiba Medical Systems. "I've seen situations where, in the space of 30 minutes, a developer has found a bug and recompiled and rewritten the code," he said.

IHE is recognized by organizations such as the Health Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP) as a critical enabler of EHR compatibility. Vendors who successfully implement and test IHE integration profiles can indicate their compliance in a product description called an integration statement.

For more information about IHE, visit www.ihe.net.