Author: Jessica Hagins
Benefits of Using NC HealthConnex to Connect to the N.C. Immunization Registry
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of routine vaccinations, especially as children head back to school. Preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses is also important as we are seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases, according to the latest CDC data. The CDC released guidance for preventing the spread of infectious diseases, including promoting vaccinations for students, teachers and staff.
The North Carolina Immunization Registry (NCIR) facilitates reporting of statewide immunization data for public health officials and helps providers manage vaccine administration to patients. NC HealthConnex, the state-designated health information exchange, supports the data in the NCIR and improves workflow for public health officials and providers.
When providers are connected to the NCIR through NC HealthConnex, the vaccine information is sent automatically to the registry via existing integrations with their electronic medical record system (EMR). This saves providers time by eliminating double data entry into their EMR and separately into the NCIR.
Connecting to the NCIR through NC HealthConnex can also save costs for providers because they do not have to pay to make a technical connection to both systems. While the N.C. Health Information Exchange Authority (NC HIEA), which operates NC HealthConnex, offers its services free of charge, some EHR vendors do charge to make this technical connection.
You can see more information on how to connect to the NCIR through NC HealthConnex by visiting our website.