Bookmark & ShareFor Immediate Release: 12/01/2006
Contact: Dave Wasser, 360-923-2711
(OLYMPIA) - The Washington State Health Care Authority today announced the Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board (HIIAB) has released their report recommending that Washington create health record banks that would allow hospitals and other providers to electronically share information about their patients.
"This recommendation aligns with Governor Chris Gregoire's commitment to safe, accurate care and her request that by 2012, all hospitals and providers establish information technology systems," said Steve Hill, Health Care Authority Administrator.
"We have a responsibility to insure that all Washingtonians have access to quality health care that fits within their budget," said Governor Gregoire. "Using electronic medical records can help
keep costs down and improve patient safety."
A number of hospitals and other providers currently use electronic medical records (EMR). Many of the facilities are not a part of the same provider network and are unable to share patient information.
"Instead of several small clusters of providers who are able to communicate, every facility using EMR will be linked together," said HIIAB Chair, Marc Droppert.
The recommendation follows a yearlong series of hearings on the subject of health information technology. A 42-member advisory committee of technology experts, health care providers and
consumers assisted the 12-member Board in their research. The groups were created under a bill passed by the Washington Legislature in 2005 (SSB 5064).
The report includes a set of five recommendations designed to establish a competitive health record bank model. Several states have called for similar networks; however the Washington
proposal is the first to go beyond the concept stage to a recommendation of specific platforms and formats for the proposed network. Under the HIIAB recommendations, any data sharing of
patient records would strictly comply with federal privacy rules.
The report may be viewed on the Health Care Authority web site at www.hca.wa.gov/hit.
