Great Lakes Health Connect Now One Of Largest HIEs In U.S.
The recent merge of Michigan Health Connect and Great Lakes Health Information Exchange, to form Great Lakes Health Connect, has resulted in the state of Michigan boasting one of United States’ largest providers of health information exchange (HIE). Hospitals, physicians and other medical professionals are now able to quickly and securely share the health records of over five million people.
The respective boards of Michigan Health Connect and Great Lakes Health Information Exchange voted to approve the merger in May with the merger being finalized on July 1.
“The merger of these two leading organizations means Great Lakes Health Connect can provide unparalleled access to electronic health records for participants in Michigan and beyond," said Doug Dietzman, executive director of the new organization and former executive director of Michigan Health Connect, in an issued announcement.
"Michigan Health Connect and the Great Lakes Health Information Exchange recognized that our missions were essentially the same and that we could better achieve our vision for a healthier Michigan together, rather than independently," added Brian McCardel, M.D., orthopedic surgeon and chairman of the Great Lakes Health Information Exchange Board of Directors.
Great Lakes Health Connect participants will include more than 20,000 independent and employed providers serving over half of the state’s 10 million residents and will cover more than 80 percent of the hospital beds in the state.
In addition to the access of patient health history across various providers, the newly merged organization will also provide real-time notifications to providers for admissions and discharges from hospitals to nursing homes.
With the United States healthcare reform in place, the exchange of electronic health records is a major asset to the success of hospitals and medical providers.
Patrick O’Hare, chairman of the Michigan Health Connect Board of Directors, concluded the announcement by stating, “We look forward to advancing an integrated platform of services across the state and making Michigan a leader in the nationwide move to health information exchange and improved health status.”