The goal of this project is to bridge the gaps in current knowledge base and identify a health information technology (HIT) strategy that will promote patient-centered care via the development and testing of an Internet-based patient Wellness Portal. Patient-centeredness is particularly important in primary care as most individuals seek care in this setting. The use of HIT is essential in integrating patient-centeredness into medical practice. A coordinated and patient-centered delivery system that is reinforced with an integrated implementation of HIT can substantially improve the safety and quality of care in primary care practices.

Thirty-three states and 1 territory formed the HISPC, which aims to address the privacy and security challenges presented by electronic health information exchange through multi-state collaboration. With the support of its state or territorial governor, each team engaged a steering committee and a range of local stakeholders to 1) assess variations in organization-level business policies and state laws that affect health information exchange; 2) identify and propose practical solutions, while preserving the privacy and security requirements in applicable Federal and State laws and 3) develop detailed plans to implement solutions.