MDNews - Central New York

HE ALTHECONNECTIONS HELPS TO IMPROVE PATIENT CARE AND LOWER HE ALTHCARE COSTS THROUGH HE ALTH INFORMATION E XCHANGE. I M A G I N E A H E A LT H C A R E system where critical patient history, medication information and imaging are available at the touch of a button. Where there are no unnecessary calls, faxes or appointment delays. Where patient status notifications, reports and results are delivered securely and instantly. All of this is possible with Hea ltheConnections, a not-for-profit qualified entity of the Statewide Health I n for m at ion Net work of New York (SHIN-NY) that supports meaningful use of health information exchange and technology adoption to improve health care — and improve lives. HealtheConnections' resources are available to physicians and other health- care providers across the Central New York region at no cost. Patient medical information is collected and compiled from organizations throughout the state and beyond through the health informa- tion exchange, or HIE. "We're able to log on [to the HIE] and get a really complete picture of clinical information about that patient — it's better informed care," says Martin Stallone, MD, Medica l Director of the Cay uga Area Physicians (CAP) Clinical Integration Program and Medica l Director of the Hospitalist Program at Cayuga Medical Center. "The more I know about a patient, the better decisions I can make as a prac- ticing internist." Electronic medica l records found within the HIE include patient histories, labs, images, reports, diagnostic tests and other important information that can be accessed with the patient's consent. The ability to share and exchange information is offered through a variety of services that can save time and improve the quality of care provided to a patient. "HealtheConnections helps us make quick decisions, g ive the patient the care that they need and, in many cases, HealtheConnections helps us save lives," says David Seeley, MD, emergency medi- cine specialist at Crouse Hospital. He a lt he C on ne c t ion s m a ke s t h i s information available and more easily accessible as patients move from one healthcare setting to another. According to Jeffrey Sneider, MD, Chief Medical Of f icer at Hea ltheConnections, this exchange of information is not only con- venient, but it also is secure, confidential and of the utmost benefit to the patient. "I can follow up on transition of care by sending protected emails through Direct Mail to specialists or consultants," Dr. Sneider says. "Our communications a re HIPA A-complia nt a nd provide a faster, more secure method of exchanging patient health data." Healthcare providers throughout the Centra l New York a rea a re using the comprehensive services offered through HealtheConnections more and more each day. In fact, 100 percent of area hospi- tals — 23 altogether — are able to access HealtheConnections' free resources. The numbers speak for themselves — more providers a re reaping the benef its of being HealtheConnections participants, which in turn means better health care for everyone in the Central New York area. + 75 percent of area physicians are able to provide better care. + 96 percent patient participation rate in Central New York. + 450,000 clinical summary documents are received each month. + 180,000 image studies are contributed each month. + 9,000 care alerts are sent each month. + More than 130,000 results are delivered each month. + More than 2,500 are secure messag- ing users. + 3,600 non-regiona l documents a re retrieved each month. The HIE is working for prov iders throughout the community now and can work even better when more providers choose to use the HIE and its services. The benefits for healthcare professionals, patients and the community as a whole are innumerable, particularly when combined with population hea lth improvement objectives that include the provision of community health data, best practices and innovative strategies to build the capacity for population health work in the Central New York region. The collection of data allows HealtheConnections to better understand the medical needs and concerns of all of Central New York — and that leads to better health — and better outcomes — for people throughout the area. To learn more about HealtheConnections and how you can benefit by becoming an HIE participant, visit HealtheConnections online today. You also may contact them directly by calling them at 315-671-2241 or by filling out their convenient contact form. n 1.5 Million Central New York Patients Able to Receive Better Care BY HEALTHECONNECTIONS STAFF CONTRIBUTORS M D N E W S .C O M /// M D N E W S C E N T R A L N E W Y O R K ■ 2 017 H E A LT H e C O N N E C T I O N S ❰❰❰❰❰ 1 1

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