West Virginia Regional Health Information Technology Extension Center (WVRHITEC)

The West Virginia Regional Health Information Technology Extension Center (WVRHITEC) is a new, federally funded project that assists health care providers to implement and effectively use certified health information technology. WVRHITEC also helps them achieve health improvement outcomes through “meaningful use.”

WVRHITEC offers services and support to all health care providers in West Virginia. Examples include education, outreach and guidance to West Virginia providers, whether they have adopted electronic health record systems or not. WVRHITEC will provide technical services as well. Rural clinics and small practices may be eligible for subsidized services.

WVRHITEC will provide participating providers with assistance in:

• Selecting a certified EHR product that offers best value for the providers’ needs
• Achieving effective implementation of a certified EHR product
• Enhancing clinical and administrative workflows to optimally leverage an EHR system’s potential to improve quality and value of care.  This includes the patient experience as well as outcomes of care
• Observing and complying with applicable legal, regulatory, professional, and ethical requirements to protect the integrity, privacy, and security of patients’ health information.

If you have questions, please contact Patty Ruddick, Project Director. Also available to help you are Jill Aliff, Mary Bliziotes, Becky McCord and Julia Williams. 
 
 
Visit the Web WVRHITEC Site

For more information, please visit the WVRHITEC web site.

What the Experts Say

According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, RECs enable health care practitioners to reach out to a local resource for technical assistance, guidance and information on best practices. RECs address unique community requirements and accelerate provider efforts to become meaningful users of electronic health records.

“Health care in our country is community-based," said Secretary Sebelius. The REC program represents our commitment to ensure that providers maximize health IT to improve the care they provide to their patients.

Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, says that regional extension centers will provide hands-on field support for health care providers to rapidly adopt health IT. "RECs are a vital part of our overall efforts to improve the quality and efficiency of health care through the effective use of health IT.