Electronic health information systems (EHIS) containing standardized assessment data (e.g., RAI-Home Care, Outcome and Assessment Information Set [OASIS]) hold considerable promise, but their potential has yet to be fully realized. Literature was searched for strategies on implementing and using EHIS, including barriers and facilitators of their use in home care. Results of this review will be discussed in terms of their implications for the future development and use of EHIS in home care, and for future research.

There is growing recognition of the importance of sharing health information in home care; however, limited research exists to identify appropriate strategies, especially with home care providers. We engaged home care stakeholders from three locations in Ontario to determine facilitators, barriers, and recommendations for using health information in home care. The results suggest that health professionals recognize the potential of these systems to enhance communication through several emergent themes; however, there was a lack of agreement on the current facilitators, barriers, and recommendations for future interventions. More research is needed to achieve consensus before strategies for improvement can be initiated.