Funding to assist long-term care providers with connectivity to health information exchange
(PEORIA, March 29, 2013) — The Central Illinois Health Information Exchange (CIHIE) is the recipient of a $349,000 “White Space Grant” from the Illinois Office of Health Information Technology (OHIT) to accelerate connectivity of long-term care providers to exchange technology. Federal health officials refer to “White Space” healthcare providers as those who are practicing in areas that are currently underserved by health information technology infrastructure. CIHIE serves approximately 1.3 million people in 20 counties in the Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana, and Decatur areas.
The program is a key component of Governor Pat Quinn’s commitment to improve the health of the people of Illinois.
“This grant to the Central Illinois Health Information Exchange in Peoria represents a step forward in our efforts to upgrade our health information technology network across the state,” Governor Quinn said. “Through this grant we will be improving communication among long-term care providers in central Illinois and empowering them to participate in the transformation of our healthcare system into one that focuses on wellness and keeping people healthy through better preventive care.”
Funding for the grant is made possible through the $18.8 million in federal funding awarded to Illinois in 2010 under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act as part of the HIE Cooperative Agreement Program. Illinois is using the funding to implement the Illinois Health Information Exchange (ILHIE), a network for the secure sharing of clinical and administrative data among healthcare providers across the state.
“This is an opportunity to leverage our federal funding in a way that promotes connectivity and improves healthcare quality and care coordination among long-term care providers,” said OHIT Director Laura Zaremba. “Through this project, we are providing help in communities that need our assistance the most.”
During 2013, the grant funds will allow CIHIE to offer:
· Education, technical assistance and support for long-term care organizations, as they work to ready their staff and systems for participation in the exchange;
· Secure messaging services to replace faxing and mailing paper records between healthcare providers; and
· Instant, real-time access to CIHIE’s aggregate community health record – which provides clinicians with a single place to access patient records from multiple sources.
Six regional organizations have partnered with CIHIE to anchor the work, serving as early long-term care adopters for the technology. These partners include BMA Management, Ltd., Christian Homes, Inc., HCR ManorCare, Heritage Enterprises, NuCare/Symphony Healthcare, and Kindred Hospital.
“Long-term care providers have not had access to recent financial incentive programs that helped hospitals and physician practices make the transition from paper to electronic health records. This grant will help CIHIE break down the technological and financial barriers that stand in the way for some long-term care providers,” said Joy Duling, CIHIE Executive Director.
CIHIE is the first regional health information exchange to be operational in the State of Illinois. Patient data first became available through the exchange in June 2012.
The CIHIE service area currently covers a population of approximately 1.3 million people and includes 27 hospitals, 20 health departments, 2,800 physicians, 280 pharmacies, 12 labs and imaging centers and numerous ancillary healthcare providers such as rehabilitation centers, behavioral healthcare, long-term care facilities and nursing homes. Member organizations include: Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal; Community Health Improvement Center, Decatur; Decatur Memorial Hospital; Dr. John Warner Hospital, Clinton; Easter Seals – Peoria, Bloomington-Normal & Decatur; Heartland Community Health Clinic, Peoria; Heritage Behavioral Health, Decatur; Human Service Center, Peoria; Illinois Gastroenterology Institute, Peoria; Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Peoria; Macon County Health Department, Decatur; Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, Peoria; OSF HealthCare System, Peoria; Proctor Hospital, Peoria; St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur; St. Mary’s Hospital, Streator; and the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria.