HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE
What’s in it for me as a Constituent?
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This chapter is unique because the city of Chicago houses the Illinois Medical District, the largest medical district in the nation. NAHSE members currently manage and or work for key health care organizations within this district, as well as, within the broader Chicago metropolitan area.
The chapter is multifaceted, with members representing a variety of health care professions including: hospital and health care leadership, direct service, association-management, research and education, consulting, managed care and insurance services.
Technology helps to make information quick and easily accessible. The Patient Protection Affordable Care Act law allows providers and insurers to share electronic health records (EHR) through Health Information Exchange (HIE).
Over time the average consumer may have been treated by different health care providers, visited various emergency rooms and hospitals, as well as fulfilled numerous prescriptions at various pharmacies. These historical medical records are not easily retrievable. The process of retrieving copies of old paper medical records can take up to several weeks, prohibiting health care providers from delivering continuity of care to patients. This inefficient process can delay much needed medical care and be very costly; resulting in duplicate diagnostic tests and procedures. Most importantly, inefficient medical care can be deadly because providers can order treatments during a traumatic situation without knowing if the person is allergic to certain medications, treatments, and procedures.
A cross-network HIE system provides authorized access to comprehensive medical records which will prevent duplicate tests and procedures as well as ensure accuracy of other medical orders. Consumers benefit greatly from the use of HIE technologies. The primary goals of the HIE support improvements in the overall quality of health care. HIEs also ensure privacy and confidentiality by preventing access to and the improper use of personal health information. Additionally, risks of medical errors are minimized and health care costs are better managed.
Former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson in an exclusive interview with the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) Chicago Midwest Chapter leadership expressed her desire to see further improvements in the expansion of the health information exchange infrastructure…“the ability for health care providers to communicate effectively is a patient safety and quality concern that needs to remain a federal priority. Consumers must be able to easily partner with physicians to reduce medical errors and improve continuity of care.” In summary, the HIE provides a roadmap that will be beneficial for the health care industry.
The EHR is vitally important to reducing health disparities because it increases coordination of care that ensures fair and equitable access to quality care. Patient treatment patterns, service denials, and health related outcomes will illuminate how well providers manage their patients’ care and how payers reimburse providers for providing such services. As a constituent, it is important to embrace these HIE changes and developments that are designed to increase connectivity among health care professionals, payers, and you, the patient.
By: Nicole S. Huff, MBA, CHC, CHSP
When optimized the EMR permits physicians, hospitals, health plans, employers, patients, and families to collaborate together as an effort to create healthier communities with better health related outcomes. Why is the electronic medical record important to you?
Consider this: you have either received health care services or supported someone else receiving treatment. In other words, at some point in time, either you or someone you know has received some form of health care service. Whether treated for ailments resulting from a car accident, delivering a baby or for a chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer.
Health is not simply the absence of sickness but is the fullness of the life experience; mind, body and spirit operating harmoniously toward one common goal.
Health in its truest essence encompasses positive thinking, exercise, proper diet and so much more. According to the World Health Organization, health is the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Thus, where there is hunger, peril, racism and social unjust health is compromised.
Everyday people are living with disease and disability with little relief from turbulent family matters and violent gang activities. On February 26th, another Black boy (Trayvon Martin) was lost to the hand of a violent incident; a situation bearing strong racial overtones.
Understanding the Real Issues of Health
In Memory of Trayvon Martin and Stephon Watts
One principle in understanding health is that life values matter, place matters, people matter and poverty matters.
On February 1st, Stephon Watts was lost to the hand of a police officer; another circumstance of racial overtone and a lack of cultural and behavioral competency. While these incidents remind us of the need to continuously fight racism and push for greater education and cultural competency, we must also remember that countless deaths are occurring one to another.
Where does this healthy life described begin? One principle in understanding health is that life values matter, place matters, people matter and poverty matters. Improving your health is not simply regulating medication, but is equally important to engage in activities that positively feed the spirit, mind and body. The sense of unity in wearing hoodies to represent the need to end racially inclined offenses is the same sense of pride we must show daily in the fight to educate youth about alternatives to gangs, guns and drugs.
The same way we wear pink ribbons for breast cancer and red ribbons for AIDS, we must be forever mindful of our need to not only save a dying generation, but to impact the health statuses of all those in the communities in which we live.
As the Supreme Courts reviews the constitutionality of health reform, remember power lies not only in the hands of legislators, but by working together community by community we can drive positive change.
NAHSE is a non-profit organization established in 1968 that advocates the elimination of health disparities and promotes the need for minorities in health care leadership. In order to lead, you must understand the concerns of those you represent. NAHSE is committed to the advancement of health for Blacks and other minorities.
Understanding the Real Issues of Health:
Stephon Watts
