1. The Iowa health information network shall be administered and governed by a designated entity using, at a minimum, the following principles:

 a. Be patient-centered and market-driven.
 b. Comply with established national standards.
 c. Protect the privacy of consumers and the security and confidentiality of all health information.
 d. Promote interoperability.
 e. Increase the accuracy, completeness, and uniformity of data.
 f. Preserve the choice of the patient to have the patient’s health information available through the record locator service.
 g. Provide education to the general public and provider communities on the value and benefits of health information technology.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 135D.4

  • Designated entity: means the nonprofit corporation designated by the department through a competitive process as the entity responsible for administering and governing the Iowa health information network. See Iowa Code 135D.2
  • Exchange: means the authorized electronic sharing of health information between health care professionals, payors, consumers, public health agencies, the designated entity, the department, and other authorized participants utilizing the Iowa health information network and Iowa health information network services. See Iowa Code 135D.2
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Health information: means health information as defined in 45 C. See Iowa Code 135D.2
  • Health information technology: means the application of information processing, involving both computer hardware and software, that deals with the storage, retrieval, sharing, and use of health care information, data, and knowledge for communication, decision making, quality, safety, and efficiency of clinical practice, and may include but is not limited to:
  • Interoperability: means the ability of two or more systems or components to exchange information or data in an accurate, effective, secure, and consistent manner and to use the information or data that has been exchanged and includes but is not limited to:
  • network: means the statewide health information technology network that is the sole statewide network for Iowa pursuant to this chapter. See Iowa Code 135D.2
  • Patient: means a person who has received or is receiving health services from a health care professional. See Iowa Code 135D.2
  • Record locator service: means the functionality of the Iowa health information network that queries data sources to locate and identify potential patient records. See Iowa Code 135D.2
 2. Widespread adoption of health information technology is critical to a successful Iowa health information network and is best achieved when all of the following occur:

 a. The network, through the designated entity complying with chapter 504 and reporting as required under this chapter, operates in an entrepreneurial and businesslike manner in which it is accountable to all participants utilizing the network’s products and services.
 b. The network provides a variety of services from which to choose in order to best fit the needs of the user.
 c. The network is financed by all who benefit from the improved quality, efficiency, savings, and other benefits that result from use of health information technology.
 d. The network is operated with integrity and freedom from political influence.
 3. The Iowa health information network technical infrastructure shall provide a mechanism for all of the following:

 a. The facilitation and support of the secure electronic exchange of health information between participants.
 b. Participants without an electronic health records system to access health information from the Iowa health information network.
 4. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to impede or preclude the formation and operation of regional, population-specific, or local health information networks or the participation of such networks in the Iowa health information network.