For Media

This area of the website is meant to serve as a repository of information for reporters and other interested parties. Should you need more information about or visuals illustrating a particular topic, or would like to request a media interview, please reach out to DHIN’s Marketing team via email at info@dhin.org or by calling (302) 678-0220.

About DHIN

The Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN) was enacted by the Delaware General Assembly in 1997 as a public-private partnership for the benefit of all citizens of Delaware to advance the creation of a statewide health information network and to address Delaware’s needs for timely, reliable and relevant health care information.

In 2007, the Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN) became the first live, statewide health information network in the nation. DHIN currently serves:

• 100% of Delaware’s acute care hospitals
• 100% of Delaware’s long-term care and skilled nursing facilities
• Nearly 100% of Delaware’s medical providers who make orders*

More than 14 million clinical results and reports are posted on DHIN each year – and the system includes 3 million total patient records from all 50 states.

• DHIN: About Us
• DHIN News Releases

The Value of DHIN

Since its inception, the system has proven its worth to hospitals, medical professionals and patients throughout Delaware. An independent review by health information exchange evaluator Maestro Strategies monetizes this value, calculating that:

• Every one connection to DHIN by each participating organization does the work of 1,152 point-to-point interfaces for hospitals, practices, public health, labs and imaging centers
• More than $43 million in annual savings is realized by customers of DHIN’s four core services — The Community Health Record, Results Delivery, Event Notification Services (ENS) and Clinical Gateway
• Through its secure, centralized system, DHIN makes results delivery more efficient and cost-effective, driving $4 in value for every $1 invested in operating revenue

Access and Security of Data

One of the greatest strengths of the Delaware Health Information Network is the safety and security of its information:

• Governed by Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA), National Institutes of Standards and Technology and other applicable federal/state laws and regulations
• Protected health information access by internal and external users
  • Audited weekly
  • All internal users must have a valid reason for access
• HITRUST-certified in 2017, 2021
  • “Gold standard” for measuring and certifying security management programs
• Collaboration with State Chief Information Security Officer on cybersecurity Best Practices

Access to DHIN is restricted and monitored. DHIN records are covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations (HIPAA) as well as state law. Under Delaware law, any misuse of DHIN health information or data is subject to prosecution and penalties outlined in the Delaware Criminal Code.

Key “Firsts”

1. First operational statewide health information exchange (HIE) in the nation.
2. First statewide HIE to have 100% participation among acute care hospitals in its state.
3. First public HIE to reduce participation fees:

• • FY16 – reduced participation fees by 10%
  • FY19 – reduced participation fees by 8%

*Provider penetration calculation reflects number of providers who make orders and are enrolled in DHIN (MDs, ODs, NPs, PAs and EDs), and does not include healthcare care providers that do not make orders (e.g. pathologists). Total provider list compiled from multiple sources including the Medical Society of Delaware, University of Delaware, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware and the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation.