Setting up a RHIO accreditation program could foster trust amongst stakeholders and consumers, increase collaborative efforts and provide momentum for private industry ehealth initiatives. This kind of program could provide oversight of these organizations; ensure standards, compliance and governance.

In an effort to assure stakeholders that Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIO) can be entrusted with handling crucial government responsibilities the state of New York is contemplating an accreditation program. Research into the potential program has been commissioned by the state and is being completed by the New York eHealth Collaborative, a non-profit organization. The Collaborative report is scheduled for release in the next couple of weeks. This project is linked to the five year $200 million interoperable health information infrastructure project which is aimed as the implementation of electronic health records and the Statewide Health Information Network for New York (SHIN-NY). The state, which has been a leader in health information technology projects, is once again providing an innovative way to address challenges.

Recently, RHIO momentum has slowed due to barriers such as, financial stability, stakeholder engagement and a lack of privacy and security policies. Similar to accrediting EHR systems through the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology oversight agencies assure stakeholders of standards by providing a stamp of approval. An essential aspect of a certification program is cultivating public trust in a RHIOs ability to handle sensitive personal health information. Further, accrediting a RHIO could provide authority to ensure compliance amongst providers and hospitals.