State HIE News and Updates 3-17-17

Posted By: Annmarie Budniak March 17, 2017

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. Catch all the latest updates on our Twitter List of HIEs. Here are updates being reported from these organizations.

NY-SHINY-200New 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.

New Study Finds Accessing Patient Records in the Health Information Exchange Improves Quality and Operational Efficiency – A new groundbreaking study of hospital emergency departments has found that hospitals can significantly improve both the quality of care and operational efficiency when their physicians access a patient’s medical records in the Health Information Exchange. Specifically, the study showed that HIE use reduced the patient’s length of stay in the ER and in-patient stay; the likelihood that the patient would be readmitted to an ER within 30 days; and the number of physicians who needed to examine the patient. Christina Galanis, President and CEO of HealthlinkNY (@healthlinkny), which operates the HIE upon which this latest research is based, called the study a “shot heard ‘round the world.”

PA-HSX-200Health 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.

HSX having Some Fun at HIMSS17

Wisconsin Statewide Health Information Network (WISHIN)

wi-shin-twitterIn 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.

WISHIN Welcomes New Pulse Participants – WISHIN recently welcomed three new clients who are now contributing and using WISHIN Pulse. The new participants are Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston, WI, Community Care Inc based in Brookfield, WI, and Progressive Community Health Centers based in Milwaukee, WI. To hear how things are working out for Community Care Inc., check out the Client Spotlight section of WISHIN’s February Newsletter WISHIN Connections.

Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN)

DHIN-twitterDelaware 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.

Accessing your medical records is about to become a breeze – In a recent interview on Delaware 105.9 News and Talk Radio, DHIN’s COO Randy Farmer told Delaware 105.9’s Dan Gaffney about a new service that will cater solely to patients in Delaware. According to Farmer DHIN is “in the throes of testing a patient facing tool that will give them the same access to the information on our network as doctors have. It’s obviously a very complex and very sophisticated tool that we’re putting together, and we are very excited to be making this available to Delawareans in the next I’d say month or two.”

Colorado Regional Health Information Exchange (CORHIO)

CORHIO200CORHIO (@CORHIO) manages one of the country’s largest and most successful health information exchange (HIE) networks and works to improve healthcare through the use of information technology and data exchange.

Laboratory Test Results From Two New Senders Now Available – Having laboratory test results available through the HIE can reduce reordering of unnecessary tests because recent results are available right in the patient’s health record. With all pertinent clinical data in one place, providers can develop more informed treatment plans and better communicate with patients. To this end, CORHIO has successfully connected with two additional laboratories – MetroPath and Gastroenterology of the Rockies in-house lab.

Michigan – Great Lakes Health Connect (GLHC)

GLHC twitterGreat Lakes Health Connect (@GLHC_HIE) is one of the largest and most successful Health Information Exchanges in the country and is growing rapidly. GLHC is committed to creating care-connected communities across Michigan. Their vision is to enhance patient experience, improve health outcomes, and reduce costs across the continuum of care.

SAVE THE DATE! Great Lakes Health Connect Announces 2017 Summit Series Schedule – GLHC recently announced the schedule for their annual educational conference offerings – The GLHC 2017 Summit Series! The Summit Series is an opportunity to engage in dialogue with fellow professionals in local communities around the state to share common experiences and best practices. The conference curriculum has been newly revised for 2017 and will offer practical solution focused presentations targeted to all types of health care organizations, health IT service providers, and legislative/government representatives.

Rhode Island – CurrentCare

RI-CurrentCare-200CurrentCare (@CurrentCare), Rhode Island’s health information exchange system, is a safe, reliable, and efficient electronic network that gives medical professionals access to their patient’s health information. CurrentCare is a free service developed by the RI healthcare community that creates a centralized electronic health record for enrolled patients.

Genesis CCDs & Prime BCBSRI meds now in Viewer! – CurrentCare Viewer now includes Continuity of Care Documents from Genesis Health Center’s nine Skilled Nursing Facilities in Rhode Island. These CCDs include up-to-date clinical documentation such as problem lists, medication information, and allergies. The CurrentCare Viewer is a web-based portal that provides up-to-date clinical information for consented patients from CurrentCare’s 60+ data-sharing partners.

Vermont Information Technology Leaders (VITL)

VITL-twitterVITL (@VITLVT) is the nonprofit organization that advances health care reform efforts in Vermont through the use of health information technology, and is the legislatively designated operator of the state’s Vermont Health Information Exchange (VHIE).

Home Telemonitoring Patient Data Now Available for Vermont Providers – VITL, Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice, and the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties recently announced the immediate availability of home telemonitoring data through the VHIE. The VHIE is Vermont’s secure, statewide network that gives health care providers the ability to electronically exchange and access patient data.

Arizona – AZ Health-eConnection (AZHeC)

AzHeC-200Operated by AzHeC (@azhec), The Network is Arizona’s non-profit statewide health information exchange (HIE) that enables improvements in care coordination and quality by electronically linking health care organizations across the state through a single connection and filling gaps in patient information.

Growth and Integration Make AzHeC a National Leader – Congratulations to AzHeC on becoming the nation’s fastest growing HIE as it approaches the two-year anniversary of going live with its new technology platform. On April 1, 2015, AzHeC launched its new technology platform and soon began to see exponential growth in participation and use. Today the HIE is signing four to five new HIE participants each week. The HIE now includes more than 100 independent community provider organizations and is expected to exceed 300 total participating organizations in April. In addition, the full integration of physical and behavioral health information has set Arizona’s HIE apart from others nationally.

Missouri – Missouri Health Connect (MHC)

MO-HC_twitterMissouri Health Connect (@HealthConnectMO), a non‐profit organization, is the state‐designated HIE organization that provides a secure and private electronic platform for sharing health information.

MHC Announces Angie Bass as Chief Executive Officer – Missouri Health Connection has selected Angie Bass as President and Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. “After a thorough and deliberate selection process, the Board of Directors is delighted that Angie will lead MHC as we continue to evolve in the expanding landscape of health information exchange,” said Susan Wilson, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Angie has a thorough understanding of the needs of our members and of the rapidly changing industry. Angie’s experience with MHC and in health information exchange held up against a very competitive national search. The Board is confident that she is the best choice to take MHC forward as a nationally recognized health information exchange.”

Paso del Norte Health Information Exchange (PHIX)

TX-PHIX

Change is Good – The Paso del Norte Health Information Exchange has been revamped, renamed PHIX, and given a new logo. PHIX (@PHIXNetwork) is a unique collaborative of major health care leaders in El Paso. PHIX pulls health information from the EHRs of all providers in the PHIX network and stores it in a centralized record so that patients’ health information in one place. PHIX provides HIPAA- compliant email and supports physician practices in optimizing their utilization of EHR technology.

 

South Dakota Health Link

sd-healthlink-logoSouth Dakota Health Link (@SDHealthLink) connects hospitals, federally qualified health centers, primary care providers, specialists, labs and pharmacies as well as public health and other state agencies. It’s a one-of-a-kind network that allows secure consultations and the sharing of test results with other providers for better patient outcomes. Health Link is provided by the South Dakota Department of Health and guided by an active advisory council working toward a common goal: Foster the sharing of information through a secure platform to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care provided to all citizens.

South Dakota Health Link Receives Grant – South Dakota Health Link was recently awarded a grant to continue to provide their Clinical Engagement services to Health Link members at no cost. This grant will also be used to increase utilization of Clinical Event Notifications and Point of Care Exchange service for public health and advanced payment model purposes.

HIE Organizations Upcoming Events

calendarblueup-200

2017 State Healthcare IT Connect Summit (@HealthITCONNECT)
What: 8th Annual State Healthcare IT Connect Summit 
When: March 28-29, 2017
Where: Hilton Waterfront Hotel, Baltimore, MD