Chuck Christian, VP of Technology and Engagement, IHIE, Chapter 2

In nearly every discussion about the state of health IT, the word ‘complex’ always seems to surface. But when it comes down to it, the ultimate goal is actually quite simple: to inform care though data. And to Chuck Christian, former CIO and current VP of technology and engagement with the Indiana HIE, that means presenting clinicians with the data they need — both inside and outside the EHR — in a matter of seconds.

In this interview, Christian offers his usual candid take on where the industry stands in terms of interoperability, and how HIE is working toward that goal by focusing on EHR integration, interstate and intrastate data exchange, and population health initiatives. He also gives his thoughts on the opioid epidemic, data blocking, and how CMS could be changing the game.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2



* Using SDoH to identify food deserts

* Data’s role in the opioid epidemic – “We get smart by using data.”

* IHIE’s patient-centered data home initiative

* “We’ve created the governance around how those regions are going to connect.”

* 250K million ADT messages exchanged in 3 months

* “It has to happen automatically.”

* Working with MESH Coalition to coordinate EMS



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Bold Statements

There’s not a national standard yet, and so what we create in Indiana might look a little bit different than what San Diego is doing, but we can inform ours with the work that they and others have done.

We have to be smart about how we do that, and we get smart by using the data. The more data we can use, the better off we’re going to be.

It shouldn’t be a burden on top of everything. In my opinion, the simpler we keep it, the more apt we are of getting people to use it. If it’s done in the background and if it’s done appropriately and securely with the patient needs in mind, it will be beneficial.

We’re getting to the point now where we can use the information that we’re gathering appropriately to have an impact upon how we take care of our community, and how we respond in case of crisis and emergency.

 Gamble:  We’re hearing a lot about social determinants in healthcare. It seems like we’ve been moving toward that direction of getting a complete picture of the patient by going outside of the traditional healthcare facilities. I imagine that comes through in a lot of the work that you do.

Christian:  We have a lot of conversations about that. Part of the issue is this is still new. The folks in San Diego working with the health exchange and the 2-1-1 program have done a good job of creating data standards for social determinants of health. Unfortunately there’s not a national standard yet, and so what we create in Indiana might look a little bit different than what San Diego is doing, but we can inform ours with the work that they and others have done. I absolutely agree it’s critical to put all these data together to try to understand the patient’s socioeconomic standpoint.

I’ve been shocked to realize that within Indianapolis, there are food deserts. There are also pharmacy deserts. When I heard that, I thought, ‘That’s not possible.’ But depending upon a person’s socioeconomic status, it is. For example, you may not have a car, and so you’re dependent upon either your family or public transportation, or you walk to get to a grocery store or pharmacy. And if you’re elderly or infirmed, it better be within a mile or so of your house, or you’re not going to have access to those kinds of services. It’s distressing to realize we have those things in a town that’s as well-serviced as Indianapolis,