Health Information Exchange To Streamline Healthcare

Sep 25, 2013 7:30 AM

TheHealthInformationExchangeAct is set to streamline the way patience receive health care in the future.

The Health Information Exchange (HIE) allows the secure sharing of select medical patient information across different providers. Kathy Isaac, Risk Manager of the Dr. John Warner Hospital in Clinton explains the Act came about from money released in 2009 in regard to Health Care. The hospital has since been participating the program is becoming more prominent. Isaac says it's the new way hospitals are doing business.

Patients are usually shared between several different medical facilities, so providers now have an advantage through the Exchange because it creates a community wide patient record. Central Illinois has their own Health Information Exchange called Central Illinois Health Information Exchange, or CIHIE. Isaac says this will allow medical providers the opportunity to look up past records and not have to repeat tests that have already been performed.

The Exchange will now make travel easier for those who determine vacations based on health. Travelers will not have to carry their medical records with them as doctors will now be able to pull up medical records via computer. According to Isaac, this system is similar now to electronic banking.

There are several hospitals working on this change since its inception in 2009. Isaac adds it will take time for each central Illinois hospital to get integrated, but it's starting to become better known around the area. The exchange will also extend to pharmacies and health departments.

Many may be concerned over their medical information potentially getting into the wrong hands. The Health Exchange provides security by monitoring each person that gains access to your information and it is controlled through federal and state privacy laws. Those who want to gain access are required to authenticate their clearance through passwords and other protections.