Northern Colorado Providers on the Move

Nearly a dozen health care organizations across northern Colorado have committed to collaborate on improving patient care using CORHIO's health information exchange (HIE). The providers range in size from a solo, primary care practice in Fort Collins to a large health system with multiple hospitals across the region.

"These northern Colorado providers represent a significant portion of the second wave of health care organizations to sign-up with CORHIO to securely share health information to improve care," said  Phyllis Albritton, executive director at CORHIO. "With each new commitment from a physician practice, a mental health center, a safety net provider or a hospital to participate in HIE, the Colorado health care community is collectively making significant progress toward improving the quality and efficiency of health care for Coloradans."

Family Practice Physician: HIE is 'Critical'

Dr. Daniel B. Jinich, a family practice physician in Fort Collins, is one of the first solo practices in the state to make a formal decision to participate in CORHIO's HIE. The HIE will seamlessly integrate with his new Allscripts MyWay EHR and allow him and his nurse to access vital patient information from other providers across the state, enabling Dr. Jinich to make better-informed decisions concerning his patients' care. As a result, it will save money, streamline the delivery of care and improve patient health outcomes.

"Joining the health information exchange is critical for solo physicians to remain competitive," explained Jinich. "The cost of shared information and integration into an EMR (electronic medical record) will pay for itself in improved efficiency of data collection. And, most importantly, it will improve the quality of medical care."

"Health care providers need to function as partners and teammates and not as isolated entities," Jinich continued. "The value obtained from shared information will greatly assist all of us in managing our patients and avoiding duplication of services."

Six hospitals in northern Colorado that have signed agreements with CORHIO include:

Four Banner Health Hospitals:

• East Morgan County Hospital
• McKee Medical Center
• North Colorado Medical Center
• Sterling Regional Medical Center

Two Poudre Valley Health System Hospitals:

• Poudre Valley Hospital
• Medical Center of the Rockies

Five medical practices that have signed agreements include:

• Dr. Daniel B. Jinich
• Front Range Center for Brain & Spine Surgery
• Miramont Family Medicine
• Northern Colorado Pain Management
• Urology Center of the Rockies

For a complete list of CORHIO HIE participants across the state of Colorado, visit the Participating Providers page.

Related:
The Greeley Tribune praises Poudre Valley Health System and Banner Health for cooperating to improve patient care: Competing Hospitals Joining Together is a Good Plan (link to article)