A snapshot of the statewide health information exchange

A Program Of The Georgia Department Of Community Health
A SNAPSHOT OF THE
Statewide Health Information Exchange
Program Overview
The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) has been awarded more than $13 million to help facilitate the creation of a statewide health information exchange (HIE). While working with health care stakeholders throughout Georgia, the State Health Information Technology (HIT) Coordinator generated support for a statewide HIE. Stakeholders partnering in the statewide HIE represent virtually every heath care interest.
The Georgia Health Information Exchange, Inc., (GHIE), a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, will serve as the statewide HIE's governance body
GHIE will create a network that will allow for the timely exchange of vital health information and accelerate the pace of health information technology development across Georgia
DCH will continue its collaboration with the Georgia Health Information Exchange Board. The State HIT Coordinator will represent the interests of Public Health, Medicaid and all other Georgia citizens in the statewide HIE
When fully operational, the statewide HIE will connect hospitals, imaging centers, laboratories, and health care professionals to the right information for the right place at the right time
The statewide HIE is expected to further the development of health technology industries in Georgia and to promote Georgia's national position as a health technology leader
The statewide HIE is expected to be operational in 2011
Goals for the Statewide HIE
The statewide HIE will support patient-centered health care and improvements in the quality of health care outcomes and the coordination of care.
The central goal for the HIE is to facilitate access and use of clinical data to provide safe, timely, efficient and effective patient-centered care. The individual goals of the statewide HIE include:
Enable prompt access to critical health information by providers Support the meaningful use of electronic health record technology throughout Georgia Protect personal health information Strengthen the continuity and coordination of care Minimize duplicate testing and services Align with the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) and other applicable standards to enable
secure and interoperable health information exchange
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2 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Ga 30303 w www.dch.georgia.gov
February 2011

A Snapshot Of The State HIE
The Future of the Statewide HIE
The statewide HIE will transform health care by: 1. E nabling Better Decisions. HIEs can improve the quality of care by bringing critical information to health care professionals where it is needed and when it is needed. Better decisions result in better care for the consumer. 2. E nhancing the Continuity of Care. HIEs link different health care providers, in order to improve continuity of care as patients move from the care of one provider to another. Better continuity of care will improve patient safety and treatment effectiveness.
3. S timulating Economic Development. HIEs require innovation that will lead to more economic development opportunities for communities throughout Georgia.
4. H elping Control Costs. HIEs can improve the efficiency of health care delivery by automating administrative practices, which helps to reduce costs.
For More Information
Visit www.dch.georgia.gov for more information about Georgia's Statewide Health Information Exchange. For more information about other programs included under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, visit the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) at www.healthit.hhs.gov.
Common HIT Definitions
Health Information Exchange (HIE) An HIE is a network for sharing health-related information between health care providers and organizations using national standards in an authorized and secure manner.
Electronic Health Record (EHR) An EHR is an electronic record of health information for an individual that conforms to national standards and that includes information that can be created, managed and shared by more than one authorized provider from different health care organizations.
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) An EMR is an electronic record of health-related information for an individual that conforms to national standards and that is created and used within one authorized health care provider organization, such as one hospital or one physician's office.
Personal Health Record (PHR) A PHR is a health record that is initiated and maintained by the individual. This electronic resource enables access and sharing by those authorized to view the individual's information.
Protected Health Information (PHI) PHI means individually identifiable health information that relates to the individual's past, present or future health care or condition, or the past, present or future payment for health care of the individual. PHI is safeguarded by strict privacy and security laws.