As reported by OleenPinnacle, Arkansas has become the first state to receive federal approval to begin Phase II of its statewide health information exchange (HIE). The HIE, known as the State Health Alliance for Records Exchange, will enable participating health care providers to share patient information securely.

Approval came from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, which has provided $7.9 million in funding to Arkansas to set up the exchange as part of the State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement.