Oklahoma Health Information Exchange - Project Abstract
Federal stimulus funds will be used to plan, design, build and operate a health information exchange statewide across Oklahoma. The goal of the exchange is to allow medical information to be shared across multiple health care providers while keeping personal health data safe and secure. A broad based group of stakeholders are meeting to outline the process for developing strategic and operational plans. This will allow the oversight workgroup to provide guidance and review of stakeholder???s input of the process to be implemented while compiling an inventory of critical health information components. As Oklahoma moves towards electronic health information exchange, the oversight workgroup will explore ways to protect and secure these confidential documents. It is critical that this information is kept secure and protected when the system is launched. Along with ensuring compliance, protecting privacy and obeying security requirements for health information technology, the workgroup will maintain an open and transparent planning process in communication strategies with key stakeholders in the health care community. Members of the oversight workgroup are as diverse as Oklahoma???s population. With 77 counties and a varied urban and rural geographic population, the task force attempts to represent everyone while integrating the interest of stakeholders such as tribal members, health care providers, commercial insurance companies, patients or consumer organizations, health information technology vendors, health care purchasers and employers, public health agencies, health professional schools, universities, colleges, and clinical researchers. Initial construction of key components will take one- and two- years with some of the more complex components coming online in year three. The end product of the Oklahoma Health Information Exchange is an integrated network connecting health care facilities using standards that will make time critical data available to providers in an emergency room, health care offices, hospitals, help reduce redundant testing by making lab results available and reduce patient hassle factors. The overall objective is to have the patient as the center of focus in the delivery of care. The expected outcomes of the project are improved clinical quality of care and at the same time attempting to contain rising health care cost by reducing redundant testing, and improving coordination of preventive services.
