State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE)

Patient medical information has historically been stored on paper in filing cabinets at various medical offices. In recent years, many clinics and hospitals have shifted from paper charts to electronic health records. More than 37 percent of office-based physicians in Arkansas implemented an EHR system in 2011(according to the Department of Health & Human Services), and adoption of EHR systems continues to grow. In 2013, all Arkansas hospitals are using an EHR system, and experts estimate that more than 60 percent of office-based Arkansas physicians currently use an EHR system. A digital health care infrastructure provides many benefits over paper systems. But just like paper charts, electronic health records are stored within a clinic or hospital system and are rarely shared with your other providers. As a result, your doctors seldom have access to all your health information, which they need to give you the best care possible. The Arkansas State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE) is a state-wide health information exchange (HIE) that solves this problem. SHARE allows participating doctors, nurses, specialists, health services professionals and public health authorities to access and securely exchange with each other real-time, electronic patient information that is protected by federal and state privacy and security laws.