February 2009
In this issue:
HIE News
HIE Spotlight
Technology Corner
HIE Matters
Advocacy and Public Policy
Calendar of Events
Tools and Resources
Ask the HIE Steering Committee
HIE Spotlight
Building HIE Through Innovation and Collaboration
There is no road map for developing state level health information exchange and RHIOs. Fortunately, some states are leading the way and developing models for the country. Healthcare leaders in New York formed the New York eHealth Collaborative (NYeC), with leadership and support from the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH), as a public-private partnership that will serve as a focal point for healthcare stakeholders to build consensus on state health IT policy priorities, and collaborate on state and regional health IT implementation efforts.
NYeC (pronounced nice) will become the trusted, independent voice that can reflect a diverse array of interests and perspectives on key policies and standards to ensure that health IT implementation efforts are successful, and to realize the state's return on investment under Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law for New Yorkers (HEAL-NY) and other funding mechanisms.
At the January 29, 2009 meeting of NYeC's Policy and Operations Council, the New York State Department of Health approved two work products emerging from the Statewide Collaboration Process. Read more
Technology Corner
Availity Partners with MedEZ
Availity, LLC announced its partnership with MedEZ, a provider of medical and behavioral health management software, for the integration of HIPAA-compliant health care claim transactions. Health care providers with MedEZ software can now submit claims seamlessly via the Availity(R) Health Information Network. The partnership provides MedEZ customers with access to one of the nation's largest clearinghouses and provider web portals. Read more
Interoperability a Reality for Utah Health Information Network (UHIN)
“UHIN will electronically connect Utah physicians, other clinicians, hospitals, labs and public health departments so that clinical information can be securely shared – with patient permission – and made available when and where it is needed,” stated Jan Root, Ph.D., UHIN Executive Director.
“Imagine walking into an emergency department or a new physician’s office and allowing them to immediately retrieve your relevant medical records, from various sources, through a secure and private electronic network,” said Scott Williams, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Medical Officer, Mountain Division of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). “Your doctor will have the information needed to make the best health care decisions and avoid unnecessary duplication of tests and treatments. This has the potential to improve health care services much like the ATM improved banking services. It’s that significant.” Read more
HIE Matters
Health IT Will Advance the Quality of Healthcare
by Assemblyman Herb Conaway, MD
State of New Jersey
Chairman, Health and Senior Services Committee
It is no secret that access to- and delivery of- healthcare has become increasingly difficult and more expensive, as it has across the country. Patients fortunate enough to be insured are denied coverage. The uninsured are deprived of basic and essential healthcare. Physicians across all specialties have experienced decreased revenue through significantly reduced compensation for services and skyrocketing overhead in the forms of medical liability and health insurances.
With that in mind, the State of New Jersey has adopted a law I drafted designed to improve the quality of healthcare through the development of health information technology. The New Jersey Health Information Technology Promotion Act P.L.2007, c.330, established the state's first electronic medical records infrastructure and created a Health Information Technology Commission to oversee the development, implementation and oversight of the program.
By improving access to health records for patients and medical practitioners, we aim to ensure that every patient receives the best care each and every time they seek medical attention. The HIT system aims to coordinate the care of a patient among hospitals, emergency rooms, clinics, nursing homes, pharmacies, and healthcare professionals.
As part of the law, a 17-member Health Information Technology Commission has been established to oversee the creation and functions of a state-wide health information technology plan. The commission-made up of physicians, as well as representatives from government, healthcare organizations, and hospitals-is also charged with promoting the use of national standards for the state's HIT system including security, privacy, data content, format, vocabulary and information transfer standards.
There are many other promising benefits. It is estimated that, once fully implemented, health information technology can save New Jersey over three-quarters of a billion dollars. Thomas Edison State College released a 1994 healthcare information networks and technology study that showed that New Jersey could save as much as $760 million by migrating from paper-based systems to an electronic network.
Additionally, electronic medical records also have the potential to cut-down on fraud and the misuse of New Jersey's healthcare resources. Still, our paramount goal should be to do all that we can to reduce medical errors that can threaten the health and safety of New Jersey medical patients.
Through this legislation, I am proud to be part of this significant step into the future of medical care. By replacing paper records with electronic medical records, the possibilities for efficiency, thoroughness, and affordability in providing healthcare are endless. Through the implementation of a secure and integrated medical records system, we will advance the quality of healthcare for all New Jersey residents, while hopefully cutting administrative costs and increasing our state's emergency preparedness.
The high costs of healthcare are apparent to patients, physicians, and governments across the country. What we do not know, and hope to never see, is the cost of not acting now. Its potential effect on public health and the economy as a whole should be enough to move us all to action.
Herb Conaway, MD, was recently re-elected to his sixth term in New Jersey’s General Assembly. He is the Chairman of the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee and a member of the Appropriations Committee and the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. The only member of the Legislature with both a medical and law degree, Assemblyman Conaway began his career in public service in the medical corps as a United States Air Force Captain. He went on to serve as a general medical officer and as an assistant director of the Primary Care Clinic at the McGuire Air Force Base. Dr. Conaway specializes in internal medicine and practices in Willingboro.
HealthLINC -- Lessons Learned from First Generation of Operational HIEs
by Todd Rowland, MD
I am a physician and serve as the executive director for an operational health information exchange (HIE) serving a multi-county area of Southern Indiana. The barriers to HIE success require continuous learning and adjustment, to avoid failure. This article provides a summary of our experiences, as our community continues on its journey. Read more
Visit the HIT Dashboard for More Information on RHIOs/HIEs
HIE NEWS
WHIE Forms Partnership with Humana
Wisconsin's first health information exchange is partnering with Humana, a publicly traded health benefits company, to provide emergency room clinicians with access to patient data.
As part of the agreement, Humana has launched a pilot program with its partner, the Wisconsin Health Information Exchange (WHIE). The purpose of the pilot is to assess the impacts of providing emergency room physicians with a historical view of patients. Humana, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., has nearly 12 million medical members, including members in Wisconsin. Dr. Albert Tzeel, Humana's regional medical market officer, said the benefits of having a patient's historical information include fewer unnecessary or redundant medical tests. He said it also produces steps that “positively influence” the cost of delivering care.
South Carolina to Develop IT Portal for HAIs
In an effort to reduce avoidable deaths, patient harm and healthcare costs, all 65 acute care hospitals in South Carolina have joined a collaborative aimed at eliminating preventable healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) statewide while safely reducing associated costs via development of a technology portal. Read more
Indiana HIE Encourages Congress to Invest in IT
Leaders in Indiana are encouraging Congress to consider its innovative, community-based health information technology (IT) program as a model for the rest of the nation as it infuses between $2-5 billion in health IT infrastructure as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This is the range between the pending House and Senate versions of certain health IT infrastructure funding recommended through this economic stimulus legislation. Read more
NeHII Completes Privacy and Security Work and Begins Publicity Effort
The Nebraska Health Information Initiative (NeHII) has completed the arduous task of privacy and security planning, one of the final planning phases to connect the entire state of Nebraska.
NeHII, Inc. is a statewide health information exchange operating in Nebraska. In the Spring of 2009, the HIE will be exchanging data between four health systems, a health plan, an independent lab, and independent physician offices. Read more
Georgia Promotes the Use of HIE to Transform its Healthcare Delivery System
by Renea Steele, MHA, PMP, CPHIMS
The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) has the responsibility for insuring over two million people in the state of Georgia, maximizing the state’s health care purchasing power, coordinating health planning for state agencies and proposing cost-effective solutions for reducing the number of uninsured. Under an Executive Order issued by Governor Sonny Perdue in October 2006, the Georgia Health Information Technology and Transparency (HITT) Advisory Board was established to advise DCH on the best practices for encouraging the use of electronic health records and establishing a statewide strategy to enable health information to be readily available and transparent. Georgia’s goals for health information technology are to enable the comprehensive timely and secure communication of health information across the public and private sectors for the benefit of the health care consumer. Read more
PHFE Receives United Health Grant to Fund Health-e-LA HIE
Public Health Foundation Enterprises, Inc. (PHFE) on behalf of Health-e-LA, a community collaboration of healthcare providers, has received a grant of $1.3 million to improve coordination and delivery of health related services for vulnerable populations throughout Los Angeles County via the Los Angeles County Health Information Exchange Safety Net Project. Working in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services and the Community Clinic Association this project represents a county wide collaboration that promises to have far reaching implications for improved healthcare in the county. The grant was included among other grants totaling $25 million made by UnitedHealth Group and PacifiCare designed to improve health care service delivery across California. Read more
Clara Maass Medical Center to Power HIE
“The rise of EMR adoption in ambulatory practices is driving demand for clinical data delivery,” said Donald Lutz, Chief Information Officer, Clara Maass Medical Center. “Physicians don’t want to have to go looking for data on their patients. They want to be notified when new information is available, and receive relevant clinical data automatically, in a format that is useful and manageable.” Read more
Kentucky Plans HIE
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo announced Kentucky is moving forward with the creation of a statewide health information exchange – an initiative that will position the commonwealth as a national leader in e-health. The move comes as President-elect Barack Obama is pledging to spend billions in stimulus dollars on e-health. Read more
Serve on HIMSS HIE Steering Committee and RHIO Liaison Roundtable
HIMSS is seeking volunteers interested in applying for a Committee appointment for the 2009-10 membership year. Committee participation is open to all members who have at least one year of consecutive membership (12 continuous months) and are not currently serving in a HIMSS leadership position. Committee appointments are assigned by the HIMSS Chair-Elect with input from existing committee leadership. Committee terms are for two years, commencing July 2009 and ending June 2011. Volunteering is an excellent opportunity for professional development, networking and active engagement be sure to apply today. For more information, visit HIMSS HIE Steering Committee Website: http://www.himss.org/ASP/topics_rhio.asp or contact Pamela Matthews, FHIMSS, Sr. Director, (706) 838-0583, pmatthews@himss.org. Applications will be accepted until March 6.
ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC POLICY
SCHIP Reauthorization Includes $25 Million for Health IT
President Barack Obama signed legislation into law to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The legislation expands SCHIP for four and a half years, funds the program through an increase in tobacco taxes, and extends SCHIP eligibility to those living at up to 300 percent above the poverty level. The health IT provisions include: 1) The Secretary of HHS is to disseminate information to the states regarding best practices among states with respect to measuring and reporting on the quality of healthcare for children. 2) The Secretary of HHS is to award 10 grants, totaling $20 million, to states and child health providers to conduct demonstration projects that, among many things, will promote the use of health IT. and 3) $5 million for the development of model electronic health record format for children enrolled in Medicaid’s CHIP program.
HIMSS Joins House 21st Century Health Care Caucus in Capitol Hill Press Conference
HIMSS joined the House 21st Century Health Care Caucus in a Capitol Hill press conference on January 28th to announce their support for the health IT provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan of 2009 proposed by Congress. HIMSS believes the inclusion of funding for health IT is essential if we are to meet President Obama’s goal of computerized health records for all Americans by 2014. HIMSS released the following documents -- Electronic Health Records: The Time is Now, Chief Information Officers Call on Congress to Fund Health IT, Health IT: Tools Reshaping Possibilities, Improving Access, Outcomes, and Achieving Interconnected Healthcare through HITSP Real-Life Scenarios.
Healthcare Reform Update
Last week, Congress moved closer to sending economic stimulus legislation, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, H.R. 1, to the President’s desk for signature. the Senate continued debate and consideration of amendments to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In the coming days, the Senate will consider amendments to health IT provisions in the legislation that could address such areas as evidence based medicine and health disparities, as well as the expansion of pots of funding for health IT to include such groups as long-term care acute hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation facilities. Read more
Senate Hearing Addresses on Health IT and Privacy
On January 27th, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Health IT: Protecting Americans Privacy in the Digital Age. Witnesses included: James Hester Jr., Ph.D., Director, Health Care Reform Commission, Vermont State Legislature; Adrienne Hahn, Senior Attorney and Program Manager for Health Policy, Consumers Union; Deven McGraw, Director Health Privacy Project, Center for Democracy and Technology; Michael Stokes, Principal Lead Program Manager, HealthVault, Microsoft Corporation; John Houston, Vice President of Information Security and Privacy, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; David Merritt, Project Director, Center for Health Transformation and the Gingrich Group. The hearing transcript is available online.
Have you Hob-Nobbed with a VIP Lately?
Have you rubbed elbows with politicians, regulatory officials, advisors…or their staffs? If you answered ‘yes’ - you could already be a winner! We're looking for digital pictures of HIMSS members with President Barack Obama, members of the Obama Administration, members of Congress, state and local elected officials and their staffs. These are the people who can help us move closer to transforming healthcare through IT and management systems. Moreover, these pictures will inspire others to get involved in HIMSS Advocacy initiatives. Read more
TOOLS AND RESOURCES
Interoperable Health Information Exchange Policy, Governance, and Accountability
Examining the Potential Role for RHIO Accreditation in New York’s Health Information Technology Strategy
Personal Health Records: The Essential Missing Element in 21st Century Healthcare
by Holly Dara Miller, MD, MBA, FHIMSS; William A. Yasnoff, MD, PhD, FACMI; and Howard A. Burde, Esquire
Softcover; 177 pgs.
Order Code: 541
Regular Price: $72
HIMSS Member Price: $60
What Is the 2009 Grant Funding Outlook?
HIMSS Grants Advantage has posted two audio recordings outlining the 2009 outlook for healthcare IT grants funding. Host Michael Paddock, CEO of Grants Office, discusses the current funding landscape and the potential impact a new presidential administration may have on grant acquisitions. He also offers details on HIMSS Grants Advantage and how to get the most out of your subscription.
HIMSS Grants Advantage is a subscription service that provides Society members with access to a reliable resource for valuable and timely healthcare IT grant information along with a grants management database. Subscribers get exclusive, unlimited access to an extensive database of federal, state, local and foundation grants, updated daily; monthly Webinars; a moderated listserv to facilitate discussion; a SharePoint portal for additional collaboration; discounts for Grants Office grants writing services; mentoring and collaboration; help desk support; and much more.
Contact HIMSS Senior Director Healthcare Information Systems Edna Boone for more information.
Health Information Security & Privacy Collaboration Provider Education Toolkit
Innovations in Using Health IT for Chronic Disease Management
Findings from the AHRQ Health IT Portfolio
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) Medical Identity Theft Final Report
HIMSS JOBMINE -- Whether you're actively looking for a new position or simply waiting to be approached with a great opportunity, HIMSS JobMine® helps you stay focused on the healthcare industry. And if you’re looking for high quality candidates, HIMSS JobMine® also gives you direct access to the best in the industry
Ask the HIE Steering Committee
Feds Might Want to Take a Page from State Approach to HIT Adoption
By Laura Kolkman, Chair, HIMSS HIE Steering Committee
Efforts on Capitol Hill by HIMSS and the Electronic Health Records Association are paying off, as evidenced by the $20 billion allotted to healthcare IT in the House version of the economic stimulus bill. It also included policy changes that could result in $30 billion in net bonuses for providers who implement and use certified HIT products over the next decade.
HIMSS continues to lobby hard to ensure the Senate’s version of the stimulus bill includes the same level of support for HIT – support that will ultimately serve to accelerate the efforts already underway at the federal and state levels. In fact, when it comes to spending those HIT dollars, the federal government would do well to study accomplishments in numerous states.
States have successfully addressed many of the key policy concerns regarding electronic health information, including interoperability, privacy and security and alignment of costs and benefits across stakeholder groups. Aggressively tackling these key policy issues has allowed many states to achieve HIT adoption at an impressive pace, while at the same time helping to advance federal initiatives, including the nationwide health information network (NHIN). Read more
Calendar of Events
HIMSS Chapter RHIO Liaison Roundtable
February 19, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern
Open to ALL HIMSS members
Register here for this free event!
Speaker: Trudi Matthews, Director of Policy and Public Relations, HealthBridge
Learn about HealthBridge, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1997 that has become one of the largest and most advanced regional health information exchanges (HIEs) in the nation, delivering more than 2.4 million clinical results each month to more than 80 percent of the physicians practicing in its service region!
HIMSS MiddleEast09 Healthcare IT & Management Excellence
May 5-7, 2009
Registration is Now Open
Read the full conference brochure and explore all of the top speakers, product innovations, educational and networking opportunities.