By THE HERALD-WHIG STAFF
A network of health providers in the West-Central Illinois region has received a state grant of more than $176,000 to create a provider group to plan for a health information exchange.
The goal is to improve the ability to share patient information between health-care providers.
Blessing Hospital has been designated to administer the planning grant money. The grant is among $3 million being divided among 16 regions in the state.
"Over the next year of learning and working together, our goal is to have an action plan and the steps in place to build a health information exchange for the region," said Lea Ann Eickelschulte, administrative director of information systems at Blessing and the contact person for the provider group, which will be called the West Central Illinois Integrated Health Network.
The group will include health-care providers in Adams, Pike, Hancock, Schuyler, Brown and McDonough counties.
"What we do ultimately must be in sync with the other 15 regions in the state," Eickelschulte said. "Like spokes in wheel, in the end we all must connect across the state and eventually across the country to improve the quality of patient care and better manage costs while assuring patient concerns."
A health information exchange involves sharing information electronically between providers -- including labs, heart tracings, X-rays, medication refills, past history and other patient health information -- while assuring patient privacy and information integrity.
The health information exchange is designed to:
* Improve health-care quality and outcomes.
* Improve patient safety.
* Reduce health disparities.
* Reduce medical errors, and duplication of tests and services.
* Enhance coordination of patient care among providers.
* Reduce or eliminate paperwork.
* Control the cost of health care.
* Enhance public health and disease surveillance.
* Promote greater efficiency.
* Assure patient privacy.
* Assure accuracy of information exchange.
The grant money will be used to hire a project manager, provide education for network members regarding current trends in health information exchange technology, and hire consultants to help develop the action plan.
