State HIE News and Updates 8-11-17

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.

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.

HealtHIE Nevada Hires New Executive Director – After an extensive search search for the right candidate, HealthInsight Nevada recently announced the hiring of Michael L. Gagnon, CPHIMS, as executive director of HealtHIE Nevada, the statewide health information exchange, managed by HealthInsight. Gagnon will take over the role on August 1. “Michael Gagnon brings 35 years of experience using technology to solve health care problems to HealtHIE Nevada,” said Deborah Huber, HealthInsight Nevada’s executive director. “He will be vital in the continued development of the state’s health information network.”

Connecticut – CTHealthLink

CTHealthLink (@CTHealthLink) is a physician-led health information network delivered in partnership with the Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS) offering a suite of health information technology tools to help health professionals across the state of Connecticut CONNECT. ANALYZE. ENGAGE. and TRANSFORM. the healthcare industry.

CTHealthLink Breaks New Ground in Supporting Healthcare Quality Initiatives – CTHealthLink, Connecticut’s first state-wide health information exchange, uses technology developed by Diameter Health, the Farmington-based health information technology company. CTHealthLink is pleased to announce that Diameter Health has received National Committee for Quality Assurance certification for 21 Electronic Clinical Quality Measures for 2017. NCQA certification assures providers and payers that the new technology has undergone rigorous and extensive testing.

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.

HIEs in Nebraska, Nevada and Utah Connect to Exchange Data – The Health Information Exchanges (HIE) in Nebraska, Nevada and Utah have connected to exchange admission, discharge and transfer (ADT) notifications for patients living in one of the states but seeking care in one of the other states. The connections between the Nebraska Health Information Initiative (@NeHIIorg), HealtHIE Nevada (@HealtHIENevada), and UHIN (@UHIN_HIE), the state-designated HIE in Utah, are the latest step in implementing a Patient Centered Data Home™ (PCDH) solution, increasing care coordination by ensuring vital health records follow the patient regardless of where treatment occurs.

Colorado Regional Health Information Exchange (CORHIO)

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

Donor Alliance Utilizing CORHIO Health Information Exchange in Donor Eligibility Process – Donor Alliance is the federally designated, non-profit that facilitates organ and tissue donation in Colorado and most of Wyoming. Donor Alliance manages recovery programs in more than 100 hospitals. Donor Alliance decided to connect with the CORHIO health information exchange to improve their process of accessing hospital records for each patient referred to them for organ and tissue donation. In addition to accessing records via CORHIO’s PatientCare 360 web portal, Donor Alliance Quality Assurance Coordinators utilize phone conversations, access hospital portals, and request the delivery of discs with the patient information.

Utah Health Information Network (UHIN)

UT-UHIN-200UHIN (@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.

Idaho and Utah HIES Connect to Exchange Data – The Idaho Health Data Exchange (IHDE) and UHIN have connected to exchange admission, discharge and transfer (ADT) notifications for patients who live in one of the states but have a medical encounter in the other state. These initial queries from HIE to HIE are based on the patient’s home zip code, and allow primary care physicians to better coordinate care no matter where the care occurs.

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.

Health Current Announces Board of Directors – Health Current has announced a new Board of Directors following a unanimous vote at the Board of Director’s meeting on July 25, 2017. The Board of Directors of Health Current, formerly Arizona Health-e Connection, voted to change its bylaws on March 28, 2017, changing from a membership organization to a non-membership organization with a self-sustaining board.

Maine – HealthInfoNet

HealthInfoNet (@hinfonet) is a Maine-based, independent nonprofit designated by the State of Maine to operate Maine’s statewide health information exchange. The HIE links medical information from separate health care sites to create a single electronic patient health record. This record is accessible to a patient’s authorized health care providers to support treatment. HealthInfoNet provides a secure, standardized electronic system where health care providers can share important patient information, giving them the tools they need to make more informed treatment decisions, especially in an emergency.

HealthInfoNet offers custom Quality Measurement & Utilization Reports – HealthInfoNet recently completed data visualization projects developed for Maine CDC and MaineCare to support better care for Maine residents. These projects represent innovative ways HealthInfoNet is working with customers to enhance the value of the Health Information Exchange.

Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE)

IHIE-200Indiana 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.

John Kansky one of 15 execs appointed by GAO to HIT Advisory Committee – On August 4, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) appointed 15 executives to the new Health Information Technology (HIT) Advisory Committee. The 25-member committee was established under the 21st Century Cures Act to provide policy recommendations to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). John Kansky, president and CEO of the Indiana Health Information Exchange, was appointed to serve a two-year term.

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.

Abington Jefferson Health is the first member to share lab results with HSX.

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.

Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley will give Closing Keynote at Metro Detroit Summit – As the youngest lieutenant governor in the country, Brian Calley has Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley played an integral role in Michigan’s comeback. He has led many state initiatives working to address important issues including addiction, mental wellness, special education reform and child lead poisoning. He also advocates for greater inclusion in the workplace, encouraging businesses and state government to hire Michiganders with disabilities.

HIE Organizations Upcoming Events

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Great Lakes Health Connect Events
What: GLHC 2017 Summit Series
When: various dates from May 10 – October 4
Where: various locations

South Dakota Health Link
What: 4th Annual Fall Forum
When: Thursday, October 12, 2017
Where: Holiday Inn City Centre, Sioux Falls, SD

Health Current Event
What: 10th Annual Health Current Summit & Trade Show
When: Monday, October 30 – Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Where: Renaissance Phoenix/Glendale Resort & Spa, Glendale, AZ

WISHIN Event – Save the Date
What: 2nd Annual Wisconsin HIE Summit
When: Thursday, November 9, 2017
Where: Glacier Canyon Lodge at the Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI

2018 State Healthcare IT Connect Summit (@HealthITCONNECT)
What9th Annual State Healthcare IT Connect Summit 
When: April 5-6, 2018
Where: Hilton Hotel Baltimore, MD