MEDNET NEWSJune 1st, 2009 Minnesota Healthcare Community and MEDNETWorld.com to Build State-of-the-Art Health Information Exchange (HIE)Minneapolis and Duluth, Minnesota: MEDNETWORLD.COM (MEDNET), a leader in Nationwide Health Information Network connectivity and clinical applications, and the Community Health Information Collaborative (CHIC) have implemented The MEDNET Patient Lookup System, which allows health care providers the ability to securely look up patient records and data instantly across 18 counties in Minnesota, thereby creating the area's largest Health Information Exchange (HIE). Previously, doctors, nurses, and emergency response personnel utilized a manual, paper-based, or fax-based process to locate patient information, resulting in incomplete data at critical moments and increased chances for errors. Now, with the collaboration of MEDNET and CHIC, medical information will be shared electronically among all CHIC healthcare providers in a safe and secure manner. Physicians no longer will be delayed by paperwork, faxes, phone calls and other means of locating a patient's record. Clinics, Hospitals and long-term care providers throughout Minnesota will be able to look up and locate patient health information and records electronically using The MEDNET Patient Lookup Service. After the rollout to the initial 18 Minnesota counties served by CHIC, physician access to The MEDNET Patient Lookup Service will be expanded with additional services such as electronic referral, insurance pre-authorization and public health reporting. In the near future this system will support connectivity to the national health backbone, called the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) to support secure connectivity to other states and federal agencies. This system was designed to protect patient privacy, comply with recent Minnesota statutes and ensure that health care information is protected and safe within the participating clinics, long-term care facilities and hospitals. "We want to make it easier for people every time they visit the doctor, a hospital or clinic. Most importantly, we are pleased to provide the necessary software to enable the critical security measures to protect patient privacy," said John Fraser MEDNET Chief Executive Officer. "I want to especially acknowledge the support of St Luke's Hospital and its Chief Information Officer, Clark Averill, and Chuck Bainter of Virginia Regional Medical Center, in helping implement this system. With community support and guidance from people like Mr. Averill and Mr. Bainter, we are assured that the system is focused on solving real needs for real people at an affordable price." CHIC is MEDNET's partner in the service. "What's exciting about this is that a small nonprofit in Duluth can help shape the future of medical record use across the country" said Dr. Cheryl Stephens, PhD, executive director of CHIC. "We're looking forward to helping develop a network that is secure and effective and that improves the quality of care patients receive. "It's all about consumer empowerment," Stephens said of the network. "Doctors will have a more complete picture of your health, which will improve the quality of care. Imagine being in an emergency room, where time is critical. You won't have to remember every prescription or when or where you had your last tetanus shot." Stephens said the long-term goal of CHIC is to put information technology to use to achieve better health care – and save money in the process. "We've been picking away at this since 1997, and we haven't given up," Stephens said. "We know there are policy issues that affect implementation and effectiveness, and we are looking forward to working with MEDNET and the community to implement this system." About MEDNETWorld.com About CHIC For more information, contact: MEDNETWorld.com CHIC |
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