Idaho clinicians can see SLHS diagnostic-quality images, instantly thru the IHDE
Boise, Idaho, May 29, 2012 – The Idaho Health Data Exchange (IHDE) and St. Luke’s Health System (SLHS) announced today the launch of Image Exchange viewing capability by eHealthTechnologies.
Image Exchange allows IHDE-authorized physicians, hospitals and clinicians to instantly access, view and collaborate on their patients’ SLHS diagnostic-quality images from the IHDE through a secure, universal web application. Powered by eHealth Technologies, images including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, PET scans and ultrasounds that traditionally take hours or days to procure, are now available within seconds from the IHDE via Image Exchange. All images are available where and when they are needed, saving health care dollars from being wasted on unnecessary duplicated procedures and time spent waiting to receive cd’s or large file transfers.
“The IHDE is excited to be able to offer participants this new functionality,” said Scott Carrell, Executive Director, Idaho Health Data Exchange. “It further develops IHDE’s ability to assist health care providers by providing them with easy access to images for the treatment of their patients.”
Marc Chasin, MD, System Vice President, interim CIO & Chief Medical Information Officer, St. Luke’s Health System: “By accessing the Idaho Health Data Exchange, clinicians can collaborate on mutual patients thus improving the efficiency and effectiveness in rendering high quality, low cost care.”
“It allows radiologists to share images performed outside of the system and view them in order to improve the diagnostic quality and changes in the care of the patient,” added Dr. Chasin.
“We are excited to be providing IHDE with the convenience of single click access to any diagnostic-quality image, right from the context of the patients’ record,” said Gary Larson, Vice President and General Manager, eHealth Technologies. “Patients will experience a higher quality of care, because their entire medical record is available to all authorized providers and the elimination of repeat exams which will result in lower healthcare costs.”
Idaho physicians using the IHDE Image Exchange feature can get easier and quicker access to images versus the traditional way of logging onto multiple sites, or calling and faxing in requests to hospitals’ imaging and medical records departments and independent imaging centers – and then waiting for cd’s to be burned and sent via mail, courier or with the patient. As soon as an image has been signed off by a radiologist, it is available and accessible via the IHDE Image Exchange within seconds.
The multiple benefits of accessing images from the IHDE include:
- Minimizing delays in patient treatment
- Reducing the need for costly duplicate exams
- Limiting unnecessary radiation exposure for patients
- Decreasing risk of medical errors due to incomplete records
- Patients no longer need to obtain and carry CDs of their images
- Physicians can compare current and past diagnostic tests
- The systems is all web-based and hyperlink driven – there is nothing for physicians or hospitals to download and no additional usernames and passwords to remember
IHDE enables authorized and participating health care providers to securely exchange critical patient information electronically from hospitals, providers, labs and radiology centers to other health care providers in real-time. IHDE has successfully connected several hospitals, labs and providers, and more than 1,200 participating users to the statewide exchange, and is actively working to connect additional hospitals, physician practices and all other health care stakeholders across Idaho.
About The Idaho Health Data Exchange
The Idaho Health Data Exchange, Inc., a 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation, was established to govern the development and implementation of the health data exchange in Idaho. IHDE is governed by a Board of Directors which provides direction and oversight to the organization. The Board includes representation from both the public and private sectors, including the health care delivery and financing systems, health care providers and consumers.
The IHDE was created as a result of the efforts of the Health Quality Planning Commission. The Health Quality Planning Commission was created by the 2006 Legislature. The Commission was charged with promoting improved quality of care and health outcomes through investment in health information technology.
Initial funding for the effort was appropriated by Idaho’s Legislature and on-going funding comes from participants in the Exchange and from ARRA grant dollars. IHDE is using the grant dollars to assist providers, hospitals and EHR solutions to connect within the state. One-time interface fees can be subsidized and first year annual fees waived. For more information visit http://www.idahohde.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
About eHealth Technologies™
eHealth Technologies is a leading provider of continuity of care solutions, serving leading health information exchanges (HIEs) and over half of the nation’s top 100 hospitals, including 12 of the top 17 U.S. News & World Report Honor roll Hospitals for 2012-2013. The company’s eHealth Connect® offering enhances patient and physician satisfaction by streamlining transitions of care, and by providing the right patient information – when and where it is needed. Visit www.https://ehealthtechnologies.com/
