SCHIEx Launches New Tool which Provides Historical Data
The South Carolina Health Information Exchange (SCHIEx) is launching a new tool which will provide clinicians with access to historical medical information on patients. Included in the system is more than a decade’s worth of medical information on each patient. Data included is medication history, previous diagnoses, and visits to the hospital.
The SCHIEx is a free electronic medical records system. The first phase of the effort was launched this month. Already the system is populated with data from around 700,00 Medicaid recipients. Only clinicians will be able to access information contained in the system. To further protect data, patient information will be sent through a secure web portal. Patients have the option to opt out of the system.
The SCHIEx program is a collaborative effort. Participants include the South Carolina Office of Research and Statistics, the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association, the South Carolina Free Clinic Association, the Rural Health Association, the South Carolina Hospital Association, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
A report posted by America’s Health Insurance Plans notes that though the tool is now available, many clinicians are unsure how to fully utilize such. Participants in the collaborative note that the system is rather complex to support access to simple information.
The hope is that once clinicians begin to utilize the system, they will become increasingly familiar with such and continue to use it even more. This tipping point can bring about favor among other clinicians and hospitals alike.
July 11, 2008 Related topics: Partnerships & Consortia