By HMG
Solidified by the shared goal of improving patient care and curbing rising healthcare costs, the first wave of regional medical leaders gathered at an 11 a.m. news conference, Thursday, May 17, 2012, before a standing-room-only crowd at the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce to announce their participation in the OnePartner HIE, the region’s new health information exchange.
“This is the future of medicine,” said Holston Medical Group President Scott Fowler, JD, MD. “By participating in this super-information highway where we will be able to share important health information with other healthcare professionals, our patients win. Without a doubt, the seamless access to patient health information will result in better care and improved outcomes for patients. Today, we stand together professionally, promoting an innovative solution that will defragment care and produce better quality at a more affordable price.”
Designed to give regional healthcare professionals the opportunity to exchange secure, consistent and seamless patient health information, the OnePartner HIE is available to all physicians and healthcare organizations and will be fully operational by mid-2012.
“Participation in the HIE represents a tremendous step in becoming less fragmented and more patient-centric,” said State of Franklin Healthcare Associates (SoFHA) Chief Manager Jim Hansen, MD. “This is about improving patient care by focusing on access, convenience and quality. Truly, this is a model that can be applied throughout our nation.”
Initial participants in the OnePartner HIE include:
- Associated Orthopedics of Kingsport
- Bristol Surgical Associates
- Holston Medical Group (HMG)
- Medical Care, PLLC
- Mountain Region Family Medicine
- The Regional Eye Center
- State of Franklin Healthcare Associates (SoFHA)
- Highlands Physicians, Inc. (HPI)
HPI, an independent practice association (consisting of 1,300 regional providers), with a reputation for supporting healthcare advancement, has endorsed the OnePartner HIE as their health information exchange of choice.
“Highlands Physicians, Inc., and I, personally, are very proud to be part of the first group of practices in our community to exchange patient care information electronically,” said Nelson Gwaltney, MD, president of Highland’s Physician’s Inc. “This is a huge step forward that will enhance patient care while reducing costs. I hope the rest of our community and country follows our lead.”
Heralding the HIE as a conduit that allows the secure exchange of patient health information between healthcare professionals, reducing the duplication of services, Eric Harman, MD, says the end result will be improved patient care.
“Our collaborative efforts will improve patient care,” says Harman, a physician with Mountain Region Family Medicine, PC. “This is about healthcare professionals coming together, sharing information, and working toward the common goal of improving the health of patients in our region. Mountain Region Family Medicine is proud to be a part of this effort.”
Powered by MobileMD™, a Siemens company, the OnePartner HIE will provide the exchange of real-time, secure, clinical information across all EMR platforms. Initially connecting healthcare providers and organizations within the region, the OnePartner HIE, will, in time, provide connectivity across the nation.
“Medical Care is committed to continued improvement in patient care. We feel strongly that the sharing of patient data between physicians promotes a vital partnership that benefits our patients,” said Steve Hopland, CEO, Medical Care. “It’s our hope that every medical professional, organization, and health system in the Tri-Cities will work to be a part of the solution by joining the OnePartner HIE.”
Regional physicians and healthcare organizations are invited to join the OnePartner HIE to be able to access and share the clinical diagnostic information necessary to provide for more advanced and complete patient care.
For more information about the OnePartner HIE visit www.onepartner.com, or call (423) 230-4656.
