On the impact and sustainability of health information exchanges in the hospital supply chain

Healthcare costs continue to rise in the US and some other countries. There have been calls to stem these increases while providing valuable healthcare services. Health information exchanges (HIEs) play a vital role in healthcare systems by enabling healthcare professionals to securely access and transmit patient information electronically. HIEs aim to reduce costs while improving speed and quality of patients care. HIE activities in the US have been largely government supported, but such support has continued to decline - threatening HIEs continued existence. Therefore, frameworks and business models that foster HIEs sustainability are needed. We use a conceptual methodological framework to discuss and propose ways that HIEs can generate revenue and hence continue to be sustainable. Among other things, we also provide propositions which can be tested to extend research in this crucial area in the operation of hospital supply chains, in particular, and healthcare systems, in general.