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NYeC News: Vol 2: September 2010
NYeC REC Receives Funding to Target Rural and Critical Access Facilities
Earlier this month, nearly $20 million in new technical support and assistance was awarded to 46 Regional Extension Centers (RECs) across the nation, including the New York eHealth Collaborative’s REC. The funding, from the HHS, specifically targets helping critical access and rural hospitals with fewer than 50 beds adopt EHRs and reach the federally-defined “meaningful use” of them. Once they do so, these facilities will quality for substantial incentive payments from Medicare and Medicaid.
Click here to see the full list of awards.
Heal 17 Awards Announced
Eleven New York State healthcare organizations have been awarded a combined $109 million to expand Health Information Technology (HIT) across the state through Phase 17 of the Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law of New York (HEAL NY).
The HEAL NY program was established in 2004 to affect reform and reconfigure New York’s healthcare delivery system to achieve improvements in patient care and increase efficiency of operation. The HEAL 17 awards will be used to continue to build HIT infrastructure throughout the state, focusing on the coordination of care for complicated health problems, mental health, long-term care and home care.
“Chronic illness experienced by individuals with complex health problems impacts the health and productivity of New Yorkers and drives up healthcare costs,” said State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, MD, when the HEAL 17 grants were announced. “A greater focus on prevention and coordination of care, enhanced by HIT, will improve health and reduce costs over time.”
Congratulations to the HEAL 17 awardees! Click here to read a related article in Healthcare IT News and a complete list of awardees.
EHR Certification Bodies Named—Providers: Invest with Confidence
 The confusion and the not-knowing are over—providers and practices can now select an electronic health records (EHR) system knowing it will meet federal standards and therefore qualify for the incentives available for adoption and “meaningful use” of an EHR. On August 31, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the first two organizations able to certify EHR systems: the Chicago-based Certification Commission for Health Information Technology and the Drummond Group out of Austin, Texas.
Until now, it’s been a murky process, trying to convince practices to invest in a system that might or might not meet the long-awaited federal certification standards. But that was then. Now, the two certification bodies say they’re ready to move ahead and will start certifying towards the end of September. EHR companies began lining up the day of the announcement.
“The announcement of EHR certification bodies for meaningful use is a good development, creating a clear path for vendors to become certified,” said Heather Caouette, spokesperson for eClinicalWorks, one of NYeC’s preferred EHR vendors. “Having said that, a large portion of the work that needs to be done will center on awareness, training and education for every single user to meet the goals and objectives as defined by meaningful use.”
Western NY Wages High-Tech War Against Diabetes
In May of this year, HEALTHeLINK received the second largest of 17 Beacon Community Awards, almost $16.1 million, from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to launch a high-technology program to fight diabetes in the region.
The Beacon Program’s goal is to create pioneer communities with cutting edge healthcare programs that set standards for nationwide improvements. Western New York is already ahead of the curve in terms of the number of physicians using an electronic health records system—40% compared to a national average of 27%—and the region’s electronic health information exchange (HIE) has been up and running for nearly a decade.
HEALTHeLINK is perfectly situated to put the Beacon funds to work.
Mirroring a nationwide epidemic, incidences of diabetes are growing at a staggering rate in Western New York. HEALTHeLINK’s program will use the region’s HIE to better coordinate care and achieve the 31 target outcome values that have been established, such as: a 5% reduction in emergency room visits, a 5% drop in hospitalization and a 5% lowering of 30-day readmission rates for diabetes patients.
Dr. David Blumenthal, national coordinator for health information technology at HHS, visited Buffalo on August 25 and said HEALTHeLINK’s new high-tech anti-diabetes campaign ldquo;exemplifies our aspirations for creating a national health information technology infrastructure aimed at realizing specific healthcare quality and efficiency goals.sdquo;
“We are as excited as we can be about the opportunity the Beacon project provides. With the foundation we have established through the collaborative support of our provider and health plan stakeholders as well as the State for our New York HEAL projects—we believe that we are positioned very well to make a real difference for the diabetics in our community,&sdquo; said Daniel Porreca, executive director at HEALTHeLINK.
Final Two Beacon Pilot Programs Announced
The Department of Health and Human Services announced its final two Beacon Program pilot communities on September 2: Greater Cincinnati and Detroit. Seventeen pilot communities now span the nation.
In Cincinnati, HealthBridge received $13.8 million to implement a program targeting improved care for patients with pediatric asthma and adult diabetes as well as a program for smoking cessation. The Southeast Michigan Health Association, which received $16.2 million in Beacon funds, will target diabetes management.
Report from HITEC: Studying the Value of Health Information Technology and Health Information Exchange
By Jessica S. Ancker, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor of Public Health Deputy Director, Health Information Technology Evaluation Collaborative, Weill Medical College of Cornell University
New York’s healthcare system is undergoing an unprecedented transformation as the state promotes interoperable health information technology through the Healthcare Efficiency and Affordability Law for New Yorkers (HEAL-NY).
What are the effects of this transformation on the cost, quality, and safety of care? What are the effects on providers and consumers? Researchers at the Health Information Technology Evaluation Collaborative (HITEC) of New York State are dedicated to trying to answer these questions.
HITEC is an academic consortium involving Cornell University, Columbia University, the University of Rochester, and the State University of New York at Albany, with key collaborators at the University at Buffalo. It is the only academic consortium of its type in New York, and perhaps the country, focused on evaluations of health information technology and exchange.
HITEC researchers are currently collaborating with HEAL-funded communities around the state to conduct several dozen studies, some statewide, and others community-specific. Some of the types of studies underway include statewide surveys of adoption of health IT, policy studies, evaluations of the usage, quality, and economic effects of individual systems being implemented by HEAL communities and cumulative effects across New York State.
NYeC Summit Series Hot Topic: Privacy & Security in the Digital Age
NYeC is in the midst of hosting a second series of statewide educational events to encourage providers and practices to adopt (or upgrade existing) electronic health records systems in order to qualify for state and federal incentive payments. The events include presentations from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, a law firm specializing in health information technology, and Dr. Jim Figge, Medical Director at the Office of Health Insurance Programs, New York State Department of Health.
Locations and Dates:
- September 15 Western New York—Adams Mark Hotel, Buffalo
- September 16 Finger Lakes North—RIT Inn, Rochester
- September 17 Central New York—Doubletree Hotel, Syracuse
- September 21 Capital District—Hilton Garden Inn, Troy
- September 22 Southern Tier—Traditions at the Glen Resort, Johnson City
- September 28 Hudson Valley—Westchester Marriott, Tarrytown
- September 30 Long Island—Melville Marriott, Melville
Day at a Glace::
- 8:00 - 8:30am: Breakfast and registration
- 8:30-9:45am: Introduction & final meaningful use rule update
- For New EHR Users
- 10:00 - 11:10am: Regional Extension Center "Purple Line" Solution: Comprehensive EHR Adoption resource guidance for vendor selection, implementation, troubleshooting, and beyond
- For Advanced EHR Users
- 10:00 - 10:30am: Regional Health Information Organization and Regional Extension Center services available to practices.
- 10:30 - 11:10am: Advanced Meaningful Use Requirements: a detailed breakdown of meaningful use incentives, objectives, and measures.
- 11:10 - 12:00pm: Lunch and vendor exhibits
- 12:00 - 1:00pm: HOT TOPIC: Managing Health information Privacy & Security in the Digital Age—presented by Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
- 1:00 - 2:00pm: Q & A session with local HIT resources, government representatives, legal counsel and local champion physicians
- 2:00 - 3:00pm:
- 1:00 - 2:00pm: Q & A session with local HIT resources, government representatives, legal counsel and local champion physicians
To register for the summit nearest you, visit www.nyecrec.org/Fall2010_Summit_Reg. For additional information call 646-504-8397 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Front Line Profile: Provider Outreach by Long Island’s LIPIX
 Earlier this month, Long Island Patient Information eXchange (LIPIX, Inc.) signed agreements with 51 providers to assist them in reaching the criteria for Meaningful Use (MU) through NYeC’s Regional Extension Center (REC) program.
“It certainly made my day,” said Danielle Craighead, Program Manager at LIPIX, Inc.
The 51 providers practice at the ambulatory family health centers of Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC), which is implementing Allscripts as its electronic health record system. The subsidized services of the REC program, and the federal incentive payments, will help the health centers continue to serve the uninsured, underinsured, and medically underserved populations.
As a regional health information organization (RHIO), LIPIX is focused on supporting its members. Ms. Craighead stated, “We want to continue to build these relationships. From our perspective, the REC is another service we can offer our members.” However, she also acknowledged that regional differences are very real and therefore EHR outreach requires a regionally-focused strategy.
Click here for more information on LIPIX.
HAC-CNY’s RHIO is Now HealtheConnections
 The Regional Health Information Organization of the Health Advancement Collaborative of Central New York (HAC-CNY) has a new name—HealtheConnections—and a new logo. HealtheConnections brings together health care providers within the eleven county regional health care markets of Central New York; with the hospitals in Syracuse, New York serving as the major referral centers. Its new logo symbolizes these regional connections, while also emphasizing patient centered care and medical resources, explained Rob Hack, HealtheConnections’ Executive Director.
“HealtheConnections will provide an important service to Central New York. Its identity will reflect a connected community focused on providing quality and efficient healthcare delivery services,” he said.
Southern Tier HealthLink Welcomes Keith Chadwick & Claudia Edwards to its Board
 September saw the introduction of two new members to Southern Tier HealthLink’s (STHL) Board of Directors
As president and CEO of United Methodist Homes since 1980, Keith Chadwick brings decades of experience to STHL. His company has a total of five campuses in New York and Pennsylvania, employing almost 1,200 staff and offering long-term care options to more than 1,200 residents.
Mr. Chadwick has received accolades throughout his career, including the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aged’s Meritorious Service Award and several awards from the New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, a group for which he has also repeatedly served as Chairman.
“I’m excited to join the STHL board,” he said. “I believe their mission to connect people’s health records among various providers and settings throughout our area is vital as medical care becomes more complex.“
Ms. Edwards serves on the boards of the American Cancer Society, is an advisory board member of the Physician’s Free Clinic and a Visiting Lecturer at both the New York Medical College School of Public Health and SUNY Binghamton.
Claudia Edwards is the Public Health Director for the Broome County Health Department in Binghamton, NY. She directs the operations of the Health Department’s five divisions: Environmental Health, Clinics, Maternal Child Health, Children with Special Needs and Administration. This includes the management of 113 staff members, an $18 million operating budget and 37 grants totaling $3.5 million. She also leads strategic planning with 34 community agencies to provide countywide emergency preparedness planning and response to terrorism events and natural disasters.
“The rapid transfer of medical information enables the Health Department to conduct ongoing disease surveillance through the ordering, analyzing and weighing of data to determine risk for illness and injury,” she said. “I am happy to join the STHL board to help further these efforts in our community and commend the board for the advances already achieved.”
Calendar
- 9/15: NYeC's EHR Educational Summit Series: Western New York—Adams Mark Hotel, Buffalo
- 9/16: NYeC's EHR Educational Summit Series: Finger Lakes North—RIT Inn, Rochester
- 9/17: NYeC's EHR Educational Summit Series: Central New York—Doubletree Hotel, Syracuse
- 9/21: NYeC's EHR Educational Summit Series: Capital District—Hilton Garden Inn, Troy
- 9/22: NYeC's EHR Educational Summit Series: Southern Tier—Traditions at the Glen Resort, Johnson City
- 9/28: NYeC's EHR Educational Summit Series: Hudson Valley—Westchester Marriott, Tarrytown
- 9/29: Health Information Exchange New York’s workgroup: Using Health Information Technology to Improve Emergency Department Care 7:30-9:30am. Holiday Inn, Wolf Road, Albany
- 9/30: NYeC’s EHR Educational Summit Series: Long Island—Melville Marriott, Melville
- 10/7 & 10/8: 4th annual P2 conference: Creating a Healthy Community. Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, Buffalo. Click here for more information.
- 10/19: Preview of eMolst, an electronic version of Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment—a HEAL 5 project. 5:30pm, Memorial Art Gallery, M&T Bank Ballroom, Rochester. Visit www.CompassionandSupport.org for more information.
- 10/27: eHealth Network of Long Island’s EHR fair at Winthrop University Hospital and Stony Brook Medical Center
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