Author: Emily Hughes
NC HealthConnex Expanding Connectivity Through National Networks to Support More Informed Care in North Carolina
The NC HIEA is pleased to announce that we have successfully reconnected to the Coastal Connect Health Information Exchange (CCHIE), based in Wilmington, through the eHealth Exchange national network to allow patient data to be exchanged to support improved patient care, which is especially important for disaster response.
When disaster strikes, patients may be displaced from their communities where they normally receive care and where their health care records are stored. Oftentimes health care workers on the front lines (first responders, medical shelters, emergency departments, urgent cares, etc.) have to rely on information from stressed family members and patients. HIEs like NC HealthConnex and Coastal Connect provide a robust IT infrastructure that provides access to important health information, such as medication, allergy and diagnosis histories to front line health care workers. This is especially important for our state’s most vulnerable and chronically ill patients.
The two HIEs initially connected over the eHealth Exchange in 2018 when Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina, but the connection needed to be rebuilt when NC HealthConnex moved to a new platform in mid-2019.
“Over the last several years, we have been keenly focused on building connected communities of care to break down the information siloes that have long persisted in health care. HIEs like NC HealthConnex specialize in bringing disparate data sets together to create a more complete health record,” said Christie Burris, executive director of the North Carolina Health Information Exchange (NC HIEA).
In addition to the connection to Coastal Connect, NC HealthConnex utilizes the eHealth Exchange to establish interstate connectivity to eTHIN (East Tennessee Health Information Network); MedVirginia serving the Richmond, Va, and surrounding areas, SCHIEX (South Carolina Health Information Exchange), GaHIN (the state-designated Georgia Health Information Network) and the Veterans Administration and Department of Defense HIE networks. Additionally, now that NC HealthConnex is a HUB 2-way participant we are adding new connections monthly. A connection to Atrium Health based in Charlotte, NC, is expected by the end of October.
NC HealthConnex participants benefit not only from the connectivity enabled across the eHealth Exchange, they also have access to admission and discharge information through the Patient Centered Data Home (PCDH) managed by the Strategic Health Information Exchange Collaborative. Based on the premise that a patient’s health information should be available where and when they need it, the PCDH network proactively pushes information back to NC HealthConnex when a North Carolina resident presents at an out of state emergency department linked to participating HIEs across the country.
NC HealthConnex has over 55,000 providers with contributed records, 6,000+ health care facilities including 119 hospitals live-submitting data, and 20 border and interstate HIEs connected via the eHealth Exchange and the Patient Centered Data Home.
NC HealthConnex Named NASCIO State IT Recognition Award Finalist for 2020
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) selected NC HealthConnex as an award finalist in the Digital Services: Government to Business category for the NASCIO 2020 State IT Recognition Awards.
NASCIO is a nonprofit association that represents state chief information officers and information technology professionals across the United States. Each year, NASCIO recognizes and awards projects that exemplify innovation and excellence in the use of information technology within state government.
NC HealthConnex provides the medical community with the data they need to make more informed decisions about patient care. As a finalist, NC HealthConnex was recognized for protecting and promoting the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians through the health information exchange and the various services NC HealthConnex offers to health care providers.
Learn more about the NASCIO State IT Recognition Awards.
Governor Cooper Proclaims October 2020 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Governor Cooper has proclaimed October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in North Carolina. The initiative is part of a month-long campaign by the N.C. Department of Information Technology to educate people about cybersecurity threats and ways they can guard against them.
During this month, we want to focus on the importance of cybersecurity in the health care community. Cyber-attacks can occur at any time, so it’s important to note the top five potential attacks in the health care community are 1) email phishing attacks; 2) ransomware attacks; 3) loss or theft of equipment or data; 4) insider, accidental or intentional data loss; and 5) attacks against connected medical devices. Especially in a time of crisis, it is crucial that organizations follow the steps below to stay safe and secure:
- Email Protection Systems
- Endpoint Protection Systems
- Access Management
- Data Protection and Loss Prevention
- Asset Management
- Network Management
- Vulnerability Management
- Incident Response
- Medical Device Security
- Cybersecurity Policies
To learn more about cybersecurity in the health care industry, please see the Cybersecurity Act of 2015, Section 405(d) and Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices.
Are You Up to Speed?
The North Carolina Broadband Survey is designed to gather information on locations in the state without adequate internet access and speeds.
The information gathered from the survey will:
- Provide clear data to guide investment of funds through the state’s Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology grant program
- Inform research and policy recommendations
- Support strategic targeting of additional funding streams
The survey is a collaboration between the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Broadband Infrastructure Office and the Friday Institute for Education Innovation at North Carolina State University.
Partner News & Events
Medicaid Webinar Series for Providers
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and North Carolina AHEC are offering two monthly evening webinar series’ to help prepare providers, practice managers, and quality managers for Medicaid Managed Care, going live on July 1, 2021.
Hosted by Chief Medical Officer of the NC Division of Health Benefits Shannon Dowler, MD, the two series’ will feature changing subtopics on Medicaid Managed Care on the first Thursday of each month and clinical quality on the third Thursday of each month. The first series kicked off on October 1 with a high-level introduction to Medicaid Managed Care, followed by the second series on October 15 to review pediatric immunization trends during COVID-19.
Thursday, Oct., 15, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Immunizations and Keeping Kids Well: Trends and COVID-19
- Continues on the third Thursday of each month
- Hosted by Shannon Dowler, MD, Chief Medical Officer, NC Division of Health Benefits, and Tom Wroth, MD, CEO, Community Care of North Carolina
- Moderated by Hugh Tilson, Director of the NC AHEC Program
In the News
COVID-19: How Many Patients Return to Hospitals After Discharge? – In a new study, researchers found that almost 5% of COVID-19 patients discharged from emergency rooms upon initial presentation were admitted within 72 hours. Those older than 60 and those with an abnormal chest X-ray, a fever, or hypoxia had a higher risk. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
Americans Want Federal Government to Make Sharing Electronic Health Data Easier – A survey released Sept. 16 shows that clear majorities of Americans support efforts to improve how their medical information is shared among doctors and clinicians, and that they want greater access to their own health data. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/
Patients Want to Download Their Own Health Data, Report Shows – With compliance requirements for ONC's info blocking rule just around the corner, a poll from Pew Charitable Trusts finds a big appetite for patient access, and widespread support for providers to do better information sharing between EHR systems. https://www.healthcareitnews.com/
Report: FQHCs Should Lead Value-Based Care Approach to Oral Health – A recent report by the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement and the National Association of Community Health Centers argues that because they are advancing integrated care that includes behavioral and oral health, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are well positioned to implement value-based care models that take a more holistic approach to care. https://www.hcinnovationgroup.com/
HHS Underscores Importance of Tech in First-Ever Rural Health Plan – In August, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that asked for a report on ongoing and future actions to enhance rural health care. HHS released an 82-page response to the order last week. https://www.govtech.com/