FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   CONTACT: Bonnie Caprara

Dec. 15, 2008                                                                            (586) 899-5718

                                                                                                       bcaprara@changescapeinc.com

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE GAINS SUPPORT, INPUT

BIRMINGHAM, MICH. -- The Southwest Michigan Health Information Exchange is in the planning stages that will soon result in a secure online resource developed by and for doctors, hospital systems, health insurers and privacy officers throughout Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties. Its purpose is to share essential patient information quickly and accurately with authorized health care providers.

The Southwest Michigan Health Information Exchange planning initiative is being coordinated by ChangeScape – a Birmingham, Mich.-based healthcare management advisory firm -- during 2008 and 2009 as part of a nationwide effort to improve our health care system. In collaboration with the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Michigan State University/Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, and all five of the region’s major healthcare providers -- Battle Creek Health System, Borgess Healthcare, Bronson Health Care Group, Lakeland Health Care, Oaklawn Hospital -- all parties are working to improve how health care is delivered.

“This highly cooperative effort among otherwise competing providers speaks volumes about the level of commitment by these providers to making the health information exchange a patient-centric system,” said ChangeScape CEO Mindy Richards.  “Above all else, all providers expressed their desire to first serve the needs of the patient community. We are also looking for other participants in the healthcare community that can provide resources and expertise to help in planning and designing this online health information exchange.”

Those interested in participating in the planning phase of this project are encouraged to contact info@changescapeinc.com.

Additional information on the Southwest Michigan Health Information Exchange is available at www.mihealthelink.org.

ChangeScape, founded in 1995, provides business solutions and strategic, policy making and capital acquisition consulting for healthcare systems. For more information on ChangeScape, visit www.changescapeinc.com.

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