About West virginia health information network
West Virginia Health Information Network: Transforming Healthcare in West Virginia
West Virginia Health Information Network (WVHIN) is a non-profit organization that aims to transform healthcare in West Virginia through secure electronic exchange of patient health information among healthcare providers. The organization was established in 2006 and has since been working towards improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare delivery in the state.
The WVHIN operates as a health information exchange (HIE) that connects hospitals, clinics, physician practices, long-term care facilities, pharmacies, laboratories and other healthcare providers across the state. The HIE enables these providers to securely share patient health information electronically with each other at the point of care. This means that doctors can access their patients' medical records from any participating provider within seconds.
The WVHIN's mission is to improve patient outcomes by providing timely access to accurate and complete patient health information. By doing so, it helps reduce medical errors caused by incomplete or inaccurate medical records. It also helps avoid unnecessary tests and procedures by providing doctors with a more comprehensive view of their patients' medical history.
One of the key benefits of using WVHIN is improved care coordination among different healthcare providers involved in a patient's care. For example, if a primary care physician refers a patient to a specialist for further evaluation or treatment, both physicians can access the same set of medical records through WVHIN. This ensures that all parties involved have access to up-to-date information about the patient's condition and treatment history.
Another benefit is increased efficiency in healthcare delivery. With electronic sharing of health information through WVHIN, there is no need for faxing or mailing paper-based records between different providers which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Electronic sharing also reduces administrative costs associated with managing paper-based records.
WVHIN also plays an important role in public health surveillance by providing real-time data on disease outbreaks or other public health emergencies. This enables public health officials to quickly identify and respond to potential threats to public health.
The WVHIN is committed to protecting patient privacy and security of their health information. It complies with all state and federal laws governing the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI). The organization has implemented strict security measures such as encryption, access controls, audit trails, and regular security audits to ensure that patient data is kept confidential.
In conclusion, West Virginia Health Information Network is a valuable resource for healthcare providers in West Virginia. Its electronic exchange of patient health information improves care coordination, reduces medical errors, increases efficiency in healthcare delivery, and supports public health surveillance. By providing timely access to accurate and complete patient records at the point of care, WVHIN helps improve patient outcomes while protecting their privacy and security.
wvhin.org
