Today when computer technology has streamlined everything from business filings to banking, many health records are still paper-based.
But most hospitals and doctors' offices in the tri-state area are ahead of the curve, thanks to a Blue Ash nonprofit.
HealthBridge is one of the country's largest electronic health information exchange organizations, serving 80 to 90 percent of physicians and acute care hospitals in southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana.
"Because of HealthBridge, and participating doctors and hospitals, we're among the nation's leaders in using electronic tools to make healthcare more efficient and secure," says Trudi Matthews, company director of policy and public relations.
The system not only makes healthcare delivery quicker and more secure, but also cuts down on medical mistakes. HealthBridge helps medical centers quickly and simply share information for 2.5 million patients in the region. More than 24 hospitals and 5,000 physicians use the company's health IT services in Greater Cincinnati, saving the region an estimated $20 million a year.
HealthBridge is working to expand its system into other parts of the region under several federally-funded initiatives. The nonprofit is expanding its services through the
Tri-State Regional Extension Center. "There is a big move to adopt electronic health records (nationwide) and one of the new services we offer, through a $10.1 million grant, is to help more than 1,700 physicians adopt electronic health records," Matthew says.
Another program aimed at improving care is funded through a $13.75 million federal Beacon Community Grant. The grant will use health IT to measure and detail healthcare delivery improvement in three areas: quality, cost-efficiency and population health.
HealthBridge is growing along with the demand for its services. From 2008, it's grown from 22 employees to more than 40 full-time and contract workers.
By Feoshia Henderson
You can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites
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