State Health Information Exchanges (HIE) come in all shapes and sizes but have one thing in common: To improve the quality, safety and efficiency of health care delivered in their states. This month’s report includes news about how HIEs are helping in the fight against the coronavirus.
Health Information Exchanges are the Key to Unlocking COVID-19 Prevention Efforts
Health care organizations across the nation are scrambling to address the coronavirus outbreak. What is desperately needed is real-time clinical information from the region to understand the risk, prevalence and characteristics of COVID-19 cases. With the rapidly evolving pandemic situation and the declaration of a National Emergency, Health Information Exchanges (HIE) are the key to unlocking COVID-19 prevention efforts by bridging the data gaps to bring real-time clinical insights from the region.
Catch all the latest updates on our Twitter List of HIEs. Here are updates being reported from these organizations.
North Carolina Health Information Exchange Authority (NC HIEA)
In 2015 the General Assembly of North Carolina established a state-managed Health Information Exchange Authority (NC HIEA) to oversee and administer the NC Health Information Exchange Network. The NC HIEA is housed within the NC Department of Information Technology’s (DIT) Government Data Analytics Center (GDAC). The NC HIEA operates North Carolina’s state-designated health information exchange, NC HealthConnex, a secure, standardized electronic system in which providers can share important patient health information. The use of this system promotes the access, exchange and analysis of health information.
COVID-19 Response – The NC HealthConnex team has developed a COVID-19 Quick Reference Guide, a document that walks providers through how to access COVID-19 patient results in the NC HealthConnex clinical portal.
California – SacValley MedShare
SacValley MedShare (@svmshie) is a member of the California Association of Health Information Exchanges (CAHIE) and serves the 16-county region of California, north of Sacramento, which includes the North Central Valley and the surrounding mountainous terrain. Its region is largely rural and mountainous, with travel limited by climate and season in much of the area. Good communication is critical to coordinate care between primary care, specialists, hospital providers, and skilled nursing care facilities that fulfill a vital role in post-discharge care for many patients.
KONZA announces partnership with SacValley MedShare – KONZA and SacValley MedShare announced a partnership to deliver analytic services derived from health information exchange data to hospitals and providers across the Northern and the North Central Valley of California. The analytic toolkit developed by KONZA will allow SacValley MedShare to aggregate near real time clinical data.
healtheConnect Alaska
healtheConnect Alaska (@akehealth) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, organized and managed by Alaskans and tasked by the State of Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services, to provide safe, secure transport for health information in order to improve quality and safety of patient care and increase efficiencies for hospitals and medical practices. healtheConnect Alaska provides health information exchange and direct secure messaging services to more than 20 hospitals and 450 healthcare organizations across Alaska.
DHSS is closely working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal, Tribal, state and local partners to respond to this evolving public health threat. Click here to watch the video: https://t.co/nI2iGM3GCw pic.twitter.com/UpIuxniVzX
— healtheConnect Alaska (@akehealth) March 23, 2020
HealtHIE Nevada
HealtHIE Nevada (@HealtHIENevada) is a private, nonprofit, community-based HIE dedicated to connecting healthcare organizations by managing real time, secure, and accurate exchange of clinical information. HealtHIE Nevada operates throughout the entire state, and is the only HIE open and available to the entire Nevada healthcare community.
COVID-19 Access to Your Patients’ Medical Records – To save lives and reduce the spread of COVID-19, HealtHIE Nevada is offering free access to our HealtHIE Chart provider portal which contains comprehensive medical records on nearly every Nevadan. The HIE collects medical records from acute care hospitals, emergency departments, urgent care sites, skilled nursing facilities, doctor offices, laboratories, imaging centers, and other healthcare organizations across the state. HealtHIE Nevada’s connections to the State Public Health Lab, Southern Nevada Health District, Washoe County Health District, private labs, and the majority of diagnostic services provides COVID-19 and other test results.
Nebraska Health Information Initiative (NeHII)
Nebraska Health Information Initiative (@NeHIIorg) is leading the effort to create a secure, online, web-based Health Information Exchange designed to serve the state of Nebraska. Improved delivery of health care information and reduced health care costs are good for all citizens of Nebraska. The state has a proud tradition and reputation of providing the finest health care possible to its citizens. The HIE will help health care providers take health care to the next level.
NEHII Responds to COVID-19 Nebraska Public Health Emergency – In coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), NEHII is requesting assistance in the timely reporting of information in order to aid the state of Nebraska in providing essential responses to the COVID-19 outbreak affecting communities.
Arizona – Health Current
Health Current (@AZHealthCurrent), is a partner that gives providers the information they need to make better clinical decisions and keep people healthy. The HIE believes more complete information is more meaningful. It makes healthcare transformation possible. And Health Current is central to this progress, integrating information technology and care delivery to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
COVID-19 Alerts Now Available from Health Current – Health Current is pleased to announce that real-time alerts for COVID-19 lab results are now available.
2020 IMPACTful Nonprofit Award – NeHII is one of four finalists up for this year’s IMPACTful Nonprofit Award. Vote today!
Wisconsin Statewide Health Information Network (WISHIN)
In October 2010 Wisconsin officially announced its intention to designate WISHIN (@WISHIN_Pulse), a not-for-profit organization formed by the Wisconsin Hospital Association, Wisconsin Medical Society, Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality, and Wisconsin Health Information Organization, as the State-designated entity to govern statewide HIE. DE on October 25, 2010. WISHIN is responsible for implementing Wisconsin’s Strategic and Operational Plan. The plan requires multi-stakeholder collaboration and emphasizes ongoing development of government and policy structures.
Record Attendance at 2020 Wisconsin HIE Summit – More than 130 attendees were on hand January 29, 2020, for the fourth Wisconsin HIE Summit meeting at the Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells. Attendance has been steadily growing since the inaugural event in March 2016. Find out more about this and other WISHIN news in the March Edition of WISHIN Connections.
WISHIN Playing a Key Role in the Response to COVID-19 Outbreak – Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) officials have reached out to WISHIN looking for help in dealing with the public-health response to the COVID-19 outbreak. DHS would like to supplement its current surveillance and data capabilities with the real-time clinical information that is available through the WISHIN network.
Health Share Exchange of Southeastern Pennsylvania (HSX)
HealthShare Exchange (@HealthShareExch) is the greater Philadelphia region’s health information exchange for the five-county Southeastern Pennsylvania region. HSX is a unique, membership-dues-supported nonprofit formed by the Delaware Valley’s hospitals/health systems and healthcare insurers that links the electronic medical record systems of different hospital health systems, medical centers, and clinics — and the claims data of healthcare insurers — to make this information accessible at inpatient and outpatient points of care, including medical practice offices.
COVID-19 ENS Smart Alert Communication to Members – HSX has begun rolling out a COVID-19 smart alert as part of our Encounter Notification Service (ENS). You do not need to do anything to enroll in this new service. It will be activated for all current ENS users.
Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN)
Delaware Health Information Network’s (@DHIN_HIE) roots reach back to 1997 when the Delaware General Assembly enacted the organization as a public/private partnership. The objective was, and remains today, to advance the creation of a statewide health information network that addresses the state’s needs for timely, reliable and relevant health care information. In 2007, DHIN “went live” – meaning it became the first operational statewide health information exchange in the nation.
DHIN Expands Its Clinical Data Pool – DHIN is pleased to welcome two new data senders to the network. The addition of Delaware Diagnostic Labs and Poplar Healthcare increases the amount of clinical data available in DHIN’s Community Health Record and expands the resources necessary for care coordination.
New York -Statewide Health Information Network for New York (SHIN-NY)
The SHIN-NY is the only HIE that provides universal access regardless of network or EHR system. New York State has made a significant investment in the SHIN-NY and in 2016 they set a goal of connecting 100% of the PPS across the state to the SHIN-NY. The eight RHIOs that make up the SHIN-NY are working directly with the PPS organizations to meet their needs.
COVID-19 Resources – HealtheConnections is continuing operations and getting crucial information into the hands of the teams on the front lines of this crisis as they navigate diagnosing, treating, and preventing the spread of this virus. Part of the work being conducting includes partnering with the NYS Department of Health to supply surveillance information they need to track COVID-19, and engaging with local and county health departments to assist with sharing community information.
COVID-19 Lab Results and Alerts Available – HEALTHeLINK (@healthelink), in partnership with New York State Department of Health and its Electronic Clinical Lab Reporting System (ECLRS), all COVID-19 lab tests performed in the region are available via HEALTHeLINK patient record look up, to participating providers. In addition, HEALTHeLINK participating providers can now receive alert notifications for their patients who have had a COVID-19 test conducted. This includes both positive and negative results. As part of the New York State emergency declaration, the requirement for patient consent for delivery of specific COVID-19 lab results to providers who have a treating relationship with the patient has been waived.
Healthix and NYCIG Merge – Healthix, Inc. (@healthix) and New York Care Information Gateway (NYCIG), two New York Health Information Exchanges, announced a merger agreement effective March 13, 2020. As a merged entity, Healthix will leverage the combined data of over 20 million individuals to deliver more complete patient information to providers to facilitate care and improve patient outcomes.
How HIEs Are Supporting COVID-19 Care – Over the last few weeks, alongside the rest of the world, the Hixny (@Hixny) staff has been adjusting to the circumstances presented by COVID-19. During that time, it’s been our privilege to collaborate with peers statewide to support the critical work of state and local public health officials.
Georgia Health Information Network (GaHIN)
Georgia Health Information Network (@GeorgiaHIE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a healthier Georgia by facilitating the use and secure exchange of electronic health information so providers have the information they need at the point of care. GaHIN’s two products, GeorgiaDirect and Georgia ConnectedCare, connect providers statewide and nationally and are free for credentialed, authorized Georgia users.
GaHIN March Newsletter – Read about the latest GaHIN news in their March Newsletter.
Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services (MiHIN)
The Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services (@MiHIN) is Michigan’s initiative to continuously improve health care quality, efficiency, and patient safety by promoting secure, electronic exchange of health information through the MiHIN Health Information Services Cloud (HISC). MiHIN represents a growing network of public and private organizations working to overcome data sharing barriers, reduce costs, and ultimately advance the health of Michigan’s population.
Use the Care Convene telehealth platform to check up on your patients from the comfort of their own home.
For more info, visit https://t.co/mrHTM3yShz or contact us at telehealth@mihin.org. #healthIT #Telehealth #COVID2019 #CoronavirusOutbreak pic.twitter.com/Ei3fPbwrvA
— MiHIN (@MiHIN) March 30, 2020
Utah Health Information Network (UHIN)
UHIN (@UHIN_HIE) has been in operation since 1993 beginning as a claims “post office.” Today it also operates the Clinical Health Information Exchange (cHIE), which empowers doctors and patients to work together for safer, better-coordinated care by making crucial information available to doctors at the point of care.
PES 2020. Payer Panel is going virtual! – https://t.co/WvWbJtOCqR pic.twitter.com/R22OmJAsM4
— UHIN (@UHIN_HIE) March 26, 2020
Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE)
Indiana Health Information Exchange (@IndianaHIE) operates the nation’s largest health information exchange, providing a secure, robust and interoperable health information technology network that connects over 150 hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, community health clinics and other healthcare providers.
Indiana Health Information Exchange using health data to predict and prevent further COVID-19 outbreak – Improving health and healthcare through electronic information exchange is our sole purpose. During a health crisis, more than ever, we are steadfast in our commitment of improving the speed and accessibility of life-saving health data. As Indiana’s statewide Health Information Exchange, our diligence has only increased as we coordinate with the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), Regenstrief Institute, and healthcare providers in every corner to ensure we do all we can together to stop the spread of COVID-19.
HIE Organizations Upcoming Events
2020 SHIEC Annual Conference (@SHIEClive)
What: 2020 SHIEC Annual Conference
When: August 16 – 19, 2020
Where: San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas
Connecting Michigan for Health Conference (@MiHIN)
What: Connecting Michigan for Health Conference
When: STAY TUNED
Where: Lansing Center, Lansing, Michigan
Our attendees experience and health at Connecting Michigan for Health is always our priority! Due to this, we will be repurposing Connecting Michigan for 2020, originally scheduled for June, to a series of events this fall! Stay tuned for the exciting details of this roadshow! pic.twitter.com/Qk1nGs2Lwr
— MiHIN (@MiHIN) March 20, 2020
Resources
HealthDataAnswers.net
- We have moved our ONC news and updates to What’s Happening at the ONC series posts on alternate Fridays.
- Find more news and updates about the latest in interoperability, personal health records, digital records and more in our HIE Rundown series posts on alternate Fridays.
Consult our Events Calendar for a schedule of upcoming health IT events and webinars.