Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/37373
the patient, it should make finding those details a much easier process. It should actually streamline the process of how we take care of patients. So, I anticipate it will be well-received, but I don’t think there has been a huge awareness, yet. We’ve talked about this for years, and now it’s ready to roll out. It makes for interesting times. This is a very positive element for physicians. There’s no stick; it’s all carrot. It’s more a case of, ‘Oh, it’s finally ready,’ rather than, ‘I have to worry about this.’ Q Q So, from a physician’s standpoint, you see this as a tool for improv- ing patient outcomes? Dr. Wormuth: Absolutely. That is the whole idea. The speed at which patient records can be reviewed and the elimination of redundant services should make the process very positive. From a hospital standpoint, how long have you been talking about the RHIO of Central New York? Cring: We started talking about the RHIO approximately a year ago, and we actively started submitting data to the RHIO last fall. Q Has anyone made an executive decision regarding when the RHIO will be up and fully functioning? Cring: Presently all of the principal participants are submitting data to the RHIO. We are all still looking at policy procedures and compliance. The chief concern is the patient’s privacy rights. We want to make sure that everything is secure and the right consent process is in place. Education and training is also an important step, so everyone will understand the use of this tool to increase efficiency and eliminate redundancy. It will speed up the ability to respond to the patient’s needs. It’s all about promoting community care and the best way to accomplish that. Q Are privacy rights a vital issue in the RHIO procedures going forward? Cring: There are portions of a patient’s record history that may be sensitive, and we’re taking extra steps to make sure that we don’t release that information by accident. Obviously, patient privacy is protected by law and in some cases, even if the RHIO is entitled to the information, we are taking pains to safeguard patients’ privacy. That is what is keeping us from turning the key right now, but we are working through those final details. Q Who determines which persons have a legitimate right to see the information? Cring: The patient is the one who decides if you can access the information that has been forwarded to the RHIO. There are certain areas of care concerning drug and alcohol use, psychiatric issues, or HIV status, which require a greater level of data security than general health information. Although the RHIO is entitled to all of those categories of data, we are concerned that a patient could be surprised that sensitive material could be accessed and reviewed. They might not be fully aware of what was there. To alleviate the situation, we may apply certain filters on the sensitive data. There has to be a balance between protect- ing the patient’s rights and providing the most efficient care possible. n MDNEWS.COM MD NEWS Central New York | 19