BIRMINGHAM -
ChangeScape, a healthcare
strategy firm, has been awarded
a $580,000 grant by The Michigan
Department of Community Health
and Information Technology to
develop the technical
specifications, business plan
and community support to
implement a Health Information
Exchange in Southwest Michigan
in Berrien, Branch, Calhoun,
Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and
Van Buren counties.
This grant, effective Sept.
1, is one of two planning grants
awarded this year to promote a
statewide electronic
infrastructure that will
streamline the secure and
confidential electronic exchange
of patient data among healthcare
providers in a faster, safer and
more efficient manner to improve
the quality of care. Grants for
seven other regions in the state
were awarded last year.
"We are so pleased with the
grant and are looking forward to
working closely with the
healthcare leadership of
Southwest Michigan on this
important initiative," said
Mindy Richards, president and
CEO of ChangeScape. "We know the
Southwest healthcare community
well, and the healthcare
leadership, employers and
philanthropists in the region
are so progressive and represent
the standard of thought
leadership on statewide and
national levels.
“This is important work and
has implications for other
regions of the state, as well.
Ultimately, when the HIE is
completed, it will dramatically
improve the delivery of
healthcare services and patient
safety and reduce operational
costs.”
When completed, the Southwest
Michigan HIE will have the
capacity to connect hospitals,
physicians and healthcare
service providers within five
healthcare systems (Bronson
Healthcare Group, Borgess
Health, Lakeland HealthCare,
Battle Creek Health System and
Oaklawn Hospital) in the region.
For more information, click
on
ChangesCapeInc.Com
