Federal and state governments have made health information technology (HIT) initiatives a priority. Meanwhile, providers are implementing new systems to improve the quality and efficiency of care. In both areas, WVMI & Quality Insights blend of IT, analytic and clinical quality improvement expertise provides us with unique insight and ability to advance this important work. Highlights include the following.
WVMI & Quality Insights is helping thousands of physicians with implementation and meaningful use of electronic health records in the states we serve. Through grants from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT), we have established Regional Extension Centers to offer on-site support and ongoing assistance. Our services include:
For providers who have already acquired EHRs, the RECs can help them fully use their systems. For example, the Centers will provide assistance with connecting to health information networks and exchanging data in accordance with laws, regulations and patient preferences. Staff can also assist with reporting of quality measures that can be used to improve clinical performance. Quality Insights of Pennsylvania will assist approximately 8,000 providers. Quality Insights of Delaware will work with approximately 1,000 physicians in its state, and WVMI is assisting 500 practices as a partner on the West Virginia grant.
The ultimate measure of RECs effectiveness will be whether they have assisted providers in becoming meaningful users of certified EHR technology.
West Virginia state government commissioned WVMI to develop a “Roadmap for HIT Adoption.” This document guided e-health legislation and the subsequent establishment of the West Virginia Health Information Network, which will serve as the state’s official Health Information Exchange (HIE). To help advance e-prescribing, WVMI conducted a statewide pharmacy survey of use and support. The results helped persuade legislators to change law to allow e-prescribing. At the federal level, WVMI participated in an AHRQ project to formally interview Medicaid and SCHIP agency representatives about HIT. We helped identify opportunities to provide technical assistance, develop programs, and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the HIT support provided.
WVMI was also a leading partner in the Health Information Privacy and Security Collaboration (HISPC), the first federally funded effort to advance multi-state efforts in this area. Under this grant, we assessed policies and state laws that could conflict with privacy and security practices or pose challenges to interoperable health information exchange. We also researched and implemented a public education campaign.
WVMI participated in a regional health information exchange project designed to further develop the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) architecture. At an NHIN Forum, ours was the only group to successfully demonstrate transference of data between providers participating in the project. In Delaware, we were an active member of the Technical Committee that developed the specifications for the DHIN data exchange utility, reviewed the final choice vendor applications, and advised on a quality assurance contract.
WVMI & Quality Insights are founding members of e-Health Initiatives in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware. The eHIs encourage the development and use of electronic health records along with health information exchanges. These initiatives have grown to include representation of over 300 member organizations. As part of our coalition work, we were a lead collaborator in the production of a “White Paper on EHR System Acquisition.”