In an earlier case study of a regio

In an earlier case study of a regional perinatal information
system that was designed to link clinical data of mothers
and newborns across four local hospitals, we identified
four elements that appear necessary for the achievement
of successful data-sharing among hospitals: (1) an assessment of the readiness of each hospital to participate; (2) a widespread recognition of a “perceived mandate” for cooperation and contribution by all participants; (3) the creation of a formal governance structure; and (4) the utilization of a third-party information technology (IT) component with fiduciary responsibility to all participants individually, as well as to the governing body [20].