The electronic exchange of health information is expected to play a major role in healthcare over the next few years, and one expert believes 2012 will see much higher rates of use of information exchange networks.

Colin Barry, the CEO of MEDfx, told Becker's Hospital Review that many more providers are now using the Nationwide Health Information Network. As more physicians get on this exchange, it could lead to significant improvements in care.

In particular, Barry cited the benefits of improved access to test results. With greater participation in information exchanges, it will make it easier for doctors to see a patient's entire medical history.

"Providing imaging results from a radiology department, for instance, can help a health system avoid ordering multiple tests, saving thousands and in some cases up to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually," Barry told the news source.

The Office of the National coordinator has already indicated that the next round of meaningful use rules, due to be released later this year, may contain stricter requirements for the electronic exchange of data.