Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange Draft Strategic Plan Released

December 11, 2009

We recently issued a draft strategic plan for the Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange, or PHIX, for public review and comment. The plan outlines how to best transition to an electronic system of health records to improve efficiency, cut costs, and provide better quality care.

The creation of a health information exchange will mark a huge step in transforming Pennsylvania’s health care industry from one using paper records to one using electronic data which, ultimately, reduces the costs of health care. The adoption of health information technology is a major component of the Governor Edward G. Rendell's comprehensive health care reform plan, Prescription for Pennsylvania.

PHIX will be the “superhighway” that securely connects health care practitioners, patients, hospitals, labs and diagnostic facilities, and pharmacies, giving health care providers a complete and reliable record of a patient’s medical history.

Up to $17 million in federal stimulus funding is available to help pay for the necessary infrastructure. The proposed strategic plan outlines the state’s strategy to increase health information sharing among health care providers, and support providers efforts to qualify for federal funds that will help them purchase and implement electronic medical record systems.

Implementing a health information exchange will allow health professionals across the state to see a patient’s complete medical picture at the time and place of care, helping to improve the quality of care delivered. At the same time, it will lead to a decrease in unnecessary and costly tests.

The plan outlines how the commonwealth will govern, finance and implement the initiative. Community members are encouraged to review the plan and submit comments on how it can be improved for a most efficient, high-quality health care system. Comments can be submitted by email to: RA-PHIXStrategicPlan@state.pa.us.

GOHCR will hold a public meeting and information session on Wednesday, December 16, 2009. The meeting will take place in the Capitol Media Center, Room 1E, Capitol East Wing, Harrisburg, PA, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. To learn more information about how health care will be transformed with PHIX click here. More information on PHIX can be found at www.pahealthinfoexchange.com.

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