Michigan Looking To Launch Regional Health Information Exchanges

Health care leaders in southwestern Michigan are joining together to organize a network for exchanging electronic health records in the region, the Kalamazoo Gazette reports.

The Southwest Michigan Health Information Exchange would connect hospitals and physicians from seven southwestern Michigan counties through a secure online database.

During the past five months, organizers have met with physicians, hospitals, health care systems, employers, business leaders and others to gather input on the initiative.

ChangeScape, the firm leading the effort, is preparing to approach various Indiana-based health data exchange services to select a possible provider.

By the end of the month, ChangeScape also plans to release findings from a survey of area physicians about their EHR use and interest in a health data exchange (Esters, Kalamazoo Gazette, 7/23).

Editorial

Meanwhile, health care providers in West Michigan are "wisely moving closer to a medical paperwork revolution" by continuing efforts to develop a health data exchange that would connect physicians in 13 counties, a Grand Rapids Press editorial states.

The editorial continues that a traditional paper-based medical system "wastes time and money and jeopardizes patient health, resulting in duplicated tests, dangerous drug interactions and other medical mistakes." In contrast, electronic systems facilitate research and improve quality care monitoring, according to the editorial.

The editorial concludes that the transition to EHRs "is complicated and at times even painful. But the results will be worth it" (Grand Rapids Press, 7/23).