August 2018 Newsletter

Alerts with Treating Relationship

HealtheConnections is launching new alerting functionality, based on SHIN-NY* policy changes, that allows alerts to be sent based on a treating relationship, as long as the patient does not have a “No” consent for the organization receiving the alerts.  The organization will provide a patient list to HealtheConnections and alerts can be sent for patients with a “Yes”, “Emergency”, and even if they have not consented yet.

As a reminder, the following alerts are available: Emergency Department admits/discharges/cancellations and In-patient admits/discharges/cancellations. You can also selectively choose the hospitals from which to receive alerts.

The policy includes some exceptions, where a “Yes” consent is still required for the alert to be sent.

  • Substance Use Disorder (42 CFR Part 2):  If an alert is generated from a Part 2 facility, a patient must have a “Yes” consent for the organization receiving the alert.
  • Mental Health: If an alert is generated from a Mental Health (OMH-licensed) facility, a “Yes” consent is required to receive the alert. The alert can be sent without a “Yes” consent if the provider NPI is included in the alert or the patient list contains the NPI of the provider receiving the alert, indicating a treating relationship. An MCO, BHO, health home, or some other entity that has been specifically approved by the state to receive such alerts for purposes of care coordination can receive an alert without a “Yes” consent.
  • Developmentally Disabled: If an alert is generated from a Developmentally Disabled (OPWDD-licensed) facility, a “Yes” consent is required to receive the alert. The alert can be sent without a “Yes” consent if the provider NPI is included in the alert or the patient list contains the NPI of the provider receiving the alert, indicating a treating relationship. An MCO, BHO, health home, or some other entity that has been specifically approved by the state to receive such alerts for purposes of care coordination can receive an alert without a “Yes” consent.
  • CrossQE Alerting: If alerts are being generated from a different NYS RHIO (or QE/Qualified Entity) a patient must have a “Yes” consent for the organization receiving alerts.

*SHIN-NY is the State Health Information Network comprised of the 8 RHIOs across New York State.

More Proactive Information for Imaging Users

  • If an imaging system is known to be inoperable or off-line, a user will be able to easily see that information in a pop-up window. Having this information beforehand can save the user from attempting to view or transfer an imaging study from a source that is unavailable at the time.
  • If the user attempts to view an imaging study from the context of a results report and the imaging system is known to be inoperable or off-line, a status message will be displayed to alert the user.

  • Easier Steps to Change Your Password

    In the upper right-hand corner of myConnections, you can hover over your name and “Change Password” will display. No need to wait when your password is about to expire—simply click on this message and you can easily change your password in no time.

New Participants

Planned Parenthood of Central & Western New York

EMR Integrations in Process

HealtheConnections is currently in the process of implementing with the following Electronic Medical Records systems. These EMRs represent multiple organizations within the HeC footprint and will allow for their data to be shared with the community.

EMR Functionality Data Type
PrecisionCare Bi-Directional CCD flow Human Services Data
Foothold Awards Bi-Directional CCD flow Human Services/LTC Data
Accumedic Bi-Directional CCD flow Human Services/LTC Data
ClinicTracker (Kno2 HUB) Unidirectional CCD to HeC Primary Care Data
SOSC HL7v2 inbound to HeC Long Term Care Data
NextGen Bi-Directional CCD flow Planned Parenthood Data
P&NP Unidirectional CCD to HeC Practice Data

July New Data Sources

Data Source Data Type
Family Practice of Cortland Practice Data (CCDAs)
Groton Community Health Care Center Inc Practice Data (CCDAs)
Reach Medical PLLC Practice Data (CCDAs)

July HIE Statistics

Patient Lookup

  • Users Accessing the HIE: 2,823
  • Logins: 37,684
  • Documents Viewed: 137,270
  • Total Patients Accesses: 44,420

Data Contribution

  • Clinical Records Received: 6,323,264
  • Patient Encounter Summaries (CCDs) Received: 705,984

Results Delivery

  • Results Delivered: 496,521
  • Total Practices: 153
  • Total Recipients: 1,746

Alerts
Total Alerts: 1,861,622

  • Emergency Department Registration: 722,977
  • Emergency Department Discharges: 582,138
  • Inpatient Admission:66,285
  • Discharge from Inpatient Stay: 221,938

Direct Mail

  • Total Users: 3,391

Data Contributors

  • Hospitals: 20
  • Labs: 23 (includes hospitals)
  • Imaging Centers: 30 (includes hospitals)
  • Practices: 194

Participating Organizations
Total Participating Organizations: 857

  • Hospitals: 23
  • Practices: 467
  • Public Health: 12
  • FQHC: 9
  • Behavioral Health: 137
  • Other Healthcare Entities: 185
  • Labs: 28 (including hospitals)
  • Radiology Centers: 41 (includes hospitals)