The West Virginia Health Information Network (WVHIN) today announced Pulmonary Associates of Charleston is now active on WVHIN’s query-based health information exchange (HIE).
“We are excited to have Pulmonary Associates of Charleston join our growing network, because they are the first independent physician practice in the state connected to our query-based service, said Sonia Chambers, interim chief operations officer at WVHIN. “In an effort to provide the best healthcare to patients across the state, the WVHIN must continue to add healthcare organizations to the network. As the network grows so do the benefits to the patients and providers. The WVHIN will continue moving forward in connecting more providers and improving the healthcare and outcome of West Virginians.”
Pulmonary Associates of Charleston is the first non-hospital affiliated physician practice to join the network. To date, the WVHIN has connected 19 hospitals and over 150 hospital-affiliated physician practices to the query-based HIE, with an additional 20 hospitals currently in the technical connection stage of the process.
“Pulmonary Associates of Charleston is pleased to announce this partnership with the West Virginia Health Information Network,” stated Senator Dr. Tom Takubo. “We are excited to participate in the state HIE. By sharing patients’ health records with other physician practices and hospitals across the state, we can ensure providers have the visibility of patients’ entire medical history. This sharing of data across multiple institutions should lead to more rapid and acute medical decision making leading to better outcomes for our patients.”
WVHIN’s HIE allows participating providers and organizations to electronically share patient health information with other connected providers in a secure, encrypted network for treatment and public health reporting purposes. Providers, such as Pulmonary Associates of Charleston, benefit from receiving the latest patient health information in near real time, at the point of care, in an organized view that is easy to read. This access helps providers avoid ordering duplicate tests and procedures, improves clinical decisions and can even provide critical life-saving information during emergencies.
“This access will help us improve care for our patients while also lowering healthcare related costs for the patients, providers and payers. This is a win-win situation for everyone,” Takubo said.
