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Governor Parkinson advances health information exchange in Kansas

Posted on Jun. 30th, 2010

Press Release
Governor Mark Parkinson

Governor Mark Parkinson

To facilitate a health care delivery system in Kansas that ensures quality, confidentiality, efficiency and effectiveness for patients, Governor Mark Parkinson has established the Kansas Health Information Exchange, Inc.

“A strong health information exchange will not only improve patient care, but it will add efficiencies and thus cost savings to our health care system in Kansas,” said Parkinson. “As we work to have an electronic health record for every Kansan in the next four years, we also remain focused on protecting the safety and security of their information. I look forward to seeing the progress the corporation will make in this endeavor and the economic benefits for our state.”

The governor created the Kansas Health Information Exchange, Inc., a not-for profit corporation, to uphold federal requirements for a statewide exchange of health information. Widespread use of health information technology has the potential to improve the quality and efficiency of health care, prevent medical errors such as adverse drug reactions and reduce health care costs by increasing administrative efficiencies and decreasing paperwork.

Secretary Roderick Bremby of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment was a member and convener of the eHealth Advisory Council that recommended the formation of a not-for-profit, public-private partnership for the purpose of operating the Kansas Health Information Exchange, Inc. “The Kansas Health Information Exchange, Inc. will implement this important policy to improve our health care delivery and support health care providers,” said Secretary Bremby.

Once a state plan is submitted to and approved by the federal Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, the State of Kansas will be awarded a little more than $9 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to assist in the creation and implementation of a governance, policy and technical infrastructure that will enable standards-based health information exchange (HIE) and enable a high-performance health care system.

Kansas Health Information Exchange, Inc. will facilitate the secure exchange of health information throughout the state as well as use information technology to improve health care quality and efficiency. The corporation will also connect regional HIEs and other stakeholders within the state to each other and connect subscribers to HIEs within and outside the state for the purpose of improving health care quality for individuals and patient populations.

Governor Parkinson created the Kansas Health Information Exchange, Inc. through Executive Order 10-06. Click here to view the full executive order.