NYSDOH Acting Commissioner provides HIE briefing

New York State Acting Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker joined HEALTHeLINK representatives in Buffalo on August 12 to provide an update on the state of health information exchange both in Western New York and across New York State. The Acting Commissioner discussed the implementation of the Statewide Health Information Network of New York (SHIN-NY), a technology framework spanning the entire state that allows providers secure access to their patients' medical data through organizations such as HEALTHeLINK. The recent New York State budget included $55 million to support SHIN-NY in building out the network and connecting New York's ten regional networks, including HEALTHeLINK, over the next several years.

"By allocating funds to create the SHIN-NY, Governor Cuomo has demonstrated his commitment to enhancing New York's health care delivery system by making patient health information available to all providers and across all settings throughout the State," said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. "The work being done and the many accomplishments to date in Buffalo play a significant role in New York's regional and statewide efforts."

With patients' consent, SHIN-NY will give providers statewide instant access to critically important patient health information. For example, if a patient from Western New York needed care while visiting New York City, especially in a medical emergency, the SHIN-NY would allow the treating physician instant access to the information they need to provide effective treatment. The SHIN-NY also ensures that people who regularly see doctors in nearby regions, such as Rochester, can have their health records accessed seamlessly.

Resulting News Coverage

• Buffalo News - State network of medical records promises to improve care
• Business First - HEALTHeLINK moving closer to state, federal health networks
• Health IT Outcomes - Acting Commissioner Of The New York State Department Of Health Provides Briefing On Health Information Exchange
• WBFO - Albany funds statewide health information network
• WKBW -  HealtheLink moving closer to state, federal health networks

Local public health efforts bolstered by use of health information exchange

By leveraging HEALTHeLINK for its epidemiology and disease surveillance, the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is noticing significant improvements in tracking overall public health efforts, specifically as it pertains to sexually transmitted diseases (STD) surveillance, treatment, and prevention. Through HEALTHeLINK, ECDOH has been able to more accurately and efficiently improve its STD case reporting and contact tracing system. The percentage of reported chlamydia cases with unknown treatment in Erie County decreased from 46% in 2006 to 8% in 2012. In addition, HEALTHeLINK use results in more STD contacts brought into care to prevent the spread of disease throughout the community. This marks a 27% increase since HEALTHeLINK use began. During this same time frame, reported gonorrhea cases with unknown treatment decreased from 19% to 4%. ECDOH is also utilizing data available through HEALTHeLINK for the treatment of syphilis. In 2013 in Erie County, there were approximately 4,897 reported chlamydia and 1,060 gonorrhea cases.

"Having secure access to public health statistics and other data provides our public health practitioners with important and timely information to help them understand where we need to focus our attention in providing health care resources and education," said Gale Burstein, MD, MPH, ECDOH Commissioner. "Our ongoing prevention efforts related to STDs have been aided by our collaboration with HEALTHeLINK which has become a valuable tool in our efforts to provide the public with more efficient care."

The efficiencies have led to a reduction in time that it takes for disease intervention specialists to identify treatment requests, cases, and contacts. ECDOH epidemiology staff and disease intervention specialists use HEALTHeLINK to access lab, radiology, medication and demographic data to determine if appropriate STD treatment is administered and to monitor demographic and contact information on STD cases and their partners.

ECDOH has been utilizing HEALTHeLINK since 2010 and in addition to STDs, is also investigating cases of hepatitis B, tuberculosis and rabies within Erie County. In the future, ECDOH will use clinical data available through HEALTHeLINK to measure overall population health and target those disease areas that may need further education or access to treatment.

Resulting News Coverage

• Clinical Innovation & Technology - NY public health, HIE collaboration drives improvements
• Healthcare Informaticas - Public Health Efforts in New York State Bolstered by HIE
• Health Data Management - HIE Speeds Public Health Reporting, Treatment
• Health IT Outcomes - HIE Improves Disease Surveillance

Next generation of physicians utilizing HIE

HEALTHeLINK is currently working with University at Buffalo's Medical School to have their residents trained in the access and use of the HIE as part of their residency program. By introducing the residents to this community resource, HEALTHeLINK is showcasing how health information technology can provide valuable information about the patients they are treating at the point of care and also engrain the resource as part of WNY's health care community. In some cases, these residents represent the future providers of WNY. To date, approximately 160 residents from the emergency medicine and internal medicine programs have been trained to use HEALTHeLINK. Providing additional programs with access is in process. 

WNY Imaging joins as data source

Western New York MRI, LLP and its affiliates (WNYMRI) is the latest independent radiology practice to join HEALTHeLINK as a data source. With authorized patient consent, participating HEALTHeLINK providers now have access to radiology reports and diagnostic quality images from WNYMRI.

WNYMRI has 13 locations throughout Western New York. These include: WNYMRI in Downtown Buffalo; WNY PET/CT in Downtown Buffalo; Ken-Ton Open MRI in Kenmore; Lockport; WNY Women's Imaging at WNY Breast Health in Amherst; WNY Women's Imaging at Premier OB/GYN in Williamsville; WNYMRI at Snyder OB/GYN in Amherst; WNYMRI at Lula Gayles Professional Center in Buffalo; WNYMRI at Parish Commons in Buffalo; WNY MRI at Jericho Road Community Health Center in Buffalo; WNYMRI at Urban Family Practice in Buffalo; WNYMRI at Sweet Home Family Medicine; and WNYMRI at Dr. Farzana Habib in Amherst.

National Health IT Week - September 15-19

HEALTHeLINK is proud to be a partner in the 2014 National Health IT Week. For more information, click here.

Register now for the Digital Health Conference

The New York eHealth Collaborative's fourth annual Digital Health Conference November 17-18 in New York City will bring together 850 senior-level professionals from across the healthcare ecosystem to learn about cutting-edge innovations and foster dynamic conversation addressing how healthcare is being redefined through technology. Keynote speakers include: Eric J. Topol, MD, Director, Scripps Translational Science Institiute and Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives & Chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania. Join your peers and put yourself at the center of the conversation: Register by September 19th and take advantage of early bird rates!

What people are saying about HEALTHeLINK

"As an Emergency Medicine Resident physician, using HEALTHeLINK has saved me a great deal of time which is critical in the emergency department. Accessing these records has avoided ordering duplicate imaging studies and labs saving the hospital money but has also been a valuable tool for inpatient physicians needing old records as well."

- Bindesh Patel, DO PGY3, resident physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, SUNY at Buffalo

Please share your success stories!

Has participation in HEALTHeLINK had a positive impact on your ability to deliver quality patient care? Has it helped to improve patient safety and your ability to respond more quickly, enabled you to better coordinate care among other providers, helped to avoid duplicative testing, enhanced your efficiency, or perhaps reduced costs? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, then we want to hear from you. Please contact us with your success stories so that we may share your experience with the broader community of providers. Our goal is to make truly collaborative care a reality for all individuals living or receiving treatment not only in Western New York, but also across New York State. Your support will help us achieve this important goal.

Please contact Laura Jacobs at ljacobs@e3communications.com to share your successes.

HEALTHeLINK In The News

• Buffalo News - Letter: Network will improve patient care statewide
• Buffalo News - State network of medical records promises to improve care
• Business First - HEALTHeLINK moving closer to state, federal health networks
• Clinical Innovation & Technology - NY public health, HIE collaboration drives improvements
• Healthcare Informaticas - Public Health Efforts in New York State Bolstered by HIE
• Health Data Management - AHRQ Grant to Enable Post-Discharge Communications
• Health Data Management - HIE Speeds Public Health Reporting, Treatment
• Health IT Outcomes - HIE Improves Disease Surveillance
• Health IT Outcomes - Acting Commissioner Of The New York State Department Of Health Provides Briefing On Health Information Exchange
• Leading Age Magazine - Health Information Exchange is a key to better transitions, better outcomes and cost savings
• UB Reporter - Phone calls may be the key to reducing hospital readmissions
• WBFO - Albany funds statewide health information network
• WKBW -  HealtheLink moving closer to state, federal health networks