New Mexico Health Information Collaborative (NMHIC) Appointed as State's
Official Health Information Exchange (HIE)
MedPlus(R) Provides Technology Solution to Enable Meaningful Data Sharing for
Improved Health Outcomes
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Maggie Gunter, PhD,
president of the New Mexico Health Information Collaborative (NMHIC),
announced today that the organization has been appointed as the state's
official health information exchange (HIE) by New Mexico Governor Bill
Richardson.
NMHIC will create the health information exchange infrastructure to connect
New Mexico's health care providers through a contract with its technology
partner, MedPlus, the healthcare information technology subsidiary of Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX). MedPlus will connect New Mexico's health
care providers to a centralized network containing critical electronic patient
information, using its Centergy(TM) suite of integrated technology solutions.
State-wide HIEs are critical for building a Nationwide Health Information
Network (NHIN). To ensure this continuity of care, NMHIC will enable health
care information to be linked electronically across organizations, both
regionally and nationally, and to move clinical information among disparate
health care information systems, including physician offices. MedPlus has
connected some of the nation's largest HIEs, including one third of the
original NHIN demonstration projects, one of which is NMHIC.
"New Mexico is a leader in the use of health information technology, and HIE
is key to our success," said Governor Bill Richardson. "The New Mexico Health
Information Collaborative has already built a solid foundation during the last
several years, thus making it an ideal choice to help move us closer to the
goal of quality health care for all at affordable prices."
NMHIC partner health care providers will have access to a centralized network
of important information such as lab results, patient record summaries,
radiology images, discharge summaries, medication history and claims data.
Several leading New Mexico health care providers are already participating in
NMHIC, including: Presbyterian Healthcare Services, TriCore Reference
Laboratory, Holy Cross Hospital and Albuquerque Ambulance.
"It is an honor that NMHIC has been selected to serve as the state's HIE and
to help drive critical data exchange," said Maggie Gunter, PhD, president of
NMHIC. "Our goal is to enable New Mexico health care organizations to deliver
more efficient and timely patient care by providing streamlined access to
vital information related to different aspects of the care process. MedPlus
has been instrumental in facilitating the seamless flow of data through all
points and has provided a comprehensive Web-based portal that is the core of
the HIE."
The MedPlus Centergy integrated solution features a combination of a Clinical
Portal, robust Data Exchange Services and a modular ambulatory EMR, Care360
EHR. The Clinical Portal aggregates patient-specific data from various
clinical systems and, in compliance with HIPAA, presents information in a
single Web-based view at multiple inpatient and remote points of care. The
Data Exchange Services form the foundation for the collection, integration,
aggregation and distribution of clinical data, while preserving it behind the
sponsoring organization's firewall. This real-time data is available to
physicians and provides them with the information needed to make more informed
decisions, ensuring high quality care for their patients.
"HIEs are an important component of driving better outcomes for patients and
more efficient health care," said Richard Mahoney, president of MedPlus and
vice president of Healthcare Information Solutions at Quest Diagnostics.
"Organizations such as NMHIC are the foundation of building a better health
care system and we are honored to be playing such an important role in helping
them to achieve their goals."
About The New Mexico Health Information Collaborative
The New Mexico Health Information Collaborative (NMHIC) is the name of New
Mexico's rapidly growing health information exchange (HIE) network, as well as
the community collaborative that has supported its development with time and
funding. The collaborative includes important New Mexico stakeholders
representing the largest health care providers, payers, employers, state
agencies and consumers. NMHIC was created in 2004, and continues to be fully
staffed and operated by the Lovelace Clinic Foundation. LCF is a non-profit
applied health research organization founded in 1990.
About MedPlus
MedPlus, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is the healthcare information technology
subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. MedPlus is a leading developer
and integrator of clinical connectivity and health care information exchange
solutions designed to foster better patient care and improve business
performance for health care institutions, physicians and patients. The
company's Centergy(TM) and ChartMaxx® solutions efficiently and securely
collect, store, manage and integrate clinical information within an
organization, enterprise, practice or community. Centergy enables clinicians
to access patient data in a centralized view aggregated from multiple care
sites. ChartMaxx, the company's award-winning DMI and electronic patient
record system, has been implemented in more than 100 hospitals and integrated
health care delivery networks and has more than 300,000 users. For more
information, visit www.MedPlus.com.
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics is the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing,
information and services that patients and doctors need to make better health
care decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing
services through its network of laboratories and patient service centers, and
provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and
scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing innovative
diagnostic tests and advanced health care information technology solutions
that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available at
www.QuestDiagnostics.com.
Contacts:
Dave Perry (NMHIC Media): 505-938-9910
Barb Short (Quest Diagnostics Media): 973-520-2800
Kathleen Valentine (Quest Diagnostics Investors): 973-520-2900
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
Dave Perry (NMHIC Media): +1-505-938-9910, Barb Short (Quest Diagnostics
Media): +1-973-520-2800, Kathleen Valentine (Quest Diagnostics Investors):
+1-973-520-2900
