Image Exchange Technology Launches with Aspen Valley Hospital

Image Exchange is QHN's newest service offering based on the provider identified need to have immediate access to diagnostic quality medical images across the QHN HIE. This service launched with Aspen Valley Hospital on May 7, 2015. Colorado Canyons Hospital and Medical Center, Fruita, CO, will be next to enable this functionality with a go-live date of mid-June. 

 

Image exchange saves time for providers by enabling them access to view, compare and transfer diagnostic images. Immediate access to images reduces healthcare costs by eliminating duplicate imaging procedures, and improves patient safety by limiting unnecessary radiation exposure. The common problems of non-viewable CDs, large file transfers, and multiple PAC system logins, are eliminated with this solution as the images are available in the HIE when and where they're needed.

 

Image Exchange Provides Many Clinical Benefits    

 

"Aspen Valley Hospital (AVH) is delighted to be at the table with QHN as partners to link technology with patient care coordination," said Elaine Gerson, AVH Chief Clinical Officer and General Counsel. "The ability to link a patient's radiology image and real-time cine [displayed as a movie] to the patient's virtual record allows the physician provider to not only read the report read by the radiologist, but the see the actual images as well.  This will provide enhanced communication between the physician provider and the patient and ultimately will lead to improved quality care."  


 

Care Coordination Pilot: HIE Helping to Bridge the Communication Gap Across the Continuum of Care

Innovation to improve patient care is happening across the western slope of Colorado. Throughout our area, there are many examples of people coming together with a common vision of improving patient care and lowering healthcare costs. Locally, Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RMHP) is leading the way with an innovative approach to improve communication among providers, for patients with complex, diverse needs who interact with multiple community organizations and services.

 

In late March, RMHP in collaboration with QHN and various community partners launched a care coordination pilot utilizing a web-based tool. This tool unites the multiplex of care team members in active patient management across the continuum of care.

 

Alerts From the HIE Support Immediate, Improved Communication

 

Improving communication among the community partners involved in a patient's care is one of the primary goals of the pilot. "To be able to identify the care team across the medical neighborhood and facilitate communication between all those players, will hopefully reduce the duplication of efforts," said Lori Stephenson, Director Clinical Program Development & Evaluation, RMHP. "It's early in the pilot, but the feedback is good and the participants feel that it has given them more immediate information on patients that are in a transition of care and they are receiving the information in way that is more actionable." 

 

 
Advance Directives in QHN is the "Hot Topic" for June

The Grand Junction Fire Department EMT supervisors have gained access to the QHN system in order to check for Advance Directives. This will solve many problems related the level care provided to patients in first response and transfer situations but most importantly support the wishes of the patient and family!  

 

Please join us and members of the Advance Care Planning Task Force for our monthly Hot Topics Conference call on June 17, 12:15-1:15 p.m. You will hear more about this exciting use of the QHN HIE, how care providers can support these efforts, and explore how your medical neighborhood might adopt a similar initiative. 

 

 
Hot Topics Conference Call
Date: June 17, 2015 | 12:15-1:15 pm

Topic: Sharing Advance Directives in QHN: Respecting Patient Wishes 

Presenters: Jane Foster & Jacque Jones from the QHN Clinical Team & the Advance Care Planning Task Force  

Medicare EPs: Take Action by July 1 to Avoid 2016 Payment Adjustment

 

Medicare payment adjustments for EPs that did not successfully participate in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program in 2014 will begin on January 1, 2016. The hardship exception applications and instructions are available on the CMS website. 

To file a hardship exception, you must:
  • Show proof of a circumstance beyond your control
  • Explicitly outline how the circumstance significantly impaired your ability to meet meaningful use. 

Application must be submitted electronically or postmarked no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on July 1, 2015 to be considered.
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