The use of information technology in healthcare is becoming increasingly important. With healthcare costs, wait times, and medical errors on the rise, the need for widespread Health Information Exchange has never been greater. Utilizing a health information exchange tool will speed up the availability of data where and when it is needed.
You may think and expect your physician knows everything that has happened to you as you’ve visited other providers and/or hospitals across the state. In fact, often the data is stuck in “silos” or is being faxed with no assurance it went to the correct fax machine nor any confirmation that it was picked up by the right person and not a wrong one. The fact is, while the current environment is comfortable because it is the one we know, it is not safer than the evolving electronic environment. Is there potential for abuse…certainly…that potential exists in today’s paper environment as well. But we cannot achieve the care quality targets, positively impact cost efficiency, nor audit and protect your healthcare information without leveraging the new electronic tools. MHC is committed to making sure, as a non-profit community-based asset, that we advocate for you and the need to make this transition in the right way.
