MidMichigan Health Partners with GLHIE for Technology Edge
EAST LANSING (WWJ) -- Midland based MidMichigan Health -- already recognized among the top 10 percent of U.S. hospitals for embracing health information technology -- last week announced it is partnering with the Great Lakes Health Information Exchange to enable the real-time transfer of patient data to providers outside of the health care system.
MidMichigan Health achieved its top ranking by replacing paper patient charts with electronic medical record technology. This technology linked four hospitals in Midland, Alma, Clare and Gladwin to its affiliated physician practices throughout the mid-Michigan region. The investment in EMR technology gives the health system's affiliated providers access to real-time clinical patient data within the MidMichigan Health network of care.
The need for patient information exchange to healthcare providers outside of the MidMichigan Health system was further realized with the strategic alliance with the University of Michigan Health System. UMHS already uses GLHIE technology to provide secure health information exchange as the only health system or hospital serving patients from every county in Michigan.
By adding the functionality of GLHIE to the MidMichigan Health technological infrastructure, providers will be able to access clinical patient data for patients receiving treatment from MidMichigan Health, UMHS or other GLHIE participants. This will maintain good communication across the healthcare continuum when patients are referred for medical specialties not available locally or when medical care is rendered outside of the MidMichigan Health network.
"We look forward to our relationship with GLHIE as they will be our strategic partner to not only allow data exchange with UMHS, but also our community providers," said Mike Larson, vice president and CIO at MidMichigan Health.
Besides its four hospitals, the MidMichigan Health network includes urgent care, home care, nursing homes, medical offices and other specialty health services over a 14-county region. The network includes nearly 500 physicians and advanced practice providers among its 6,300.
GLHIE is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the speed and quality of healthcare to the community by facilitating the authorized and secure electronic access and retrieval of critical clinical data to healthcare providers. More at www.glhie.org.
