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What is the Michigan Health Information Alliance?

 

The Michigan Health Information Alliance (MiHIA) is a collaboration among a broad range of stakeholders representing the Great Lakes bay area and beyond, with the goal of leveraging health information technology to improve the quality, safety, access, and cost-effectiveness of health care to the region’s inhabitants and their families.  The CMU Research Corporation currently stands as the fiduciary agent, however upon reaching sustainable funding, this entity will stand as its own not-for-profit organization.

What is an HIE?

 

Health Information Exchange (HIE) is defined as the mobilization of health information electronically across organizations within a region or community. HIE provides the capability to securely and confidentially enable electronic transfer of clinical information among separate health care information systems, while maintaining the meaning of the information being exchanged.

What is the Michigan Health Information Alliance HIE Project?

 

The HIE project started with a planning grant from the State of Michigan as part of the Michigan Health Information Network (MiHIN) initiative. The HIE grant officially started June 18th of 2007 and extended through September 2008.  MiHIA used this time to develop a vision, medical priority list, common agenda, data sharing framework, confidentiality and security procedures, and a sustainability model designed to support an implementation plan created at the end of the 16 month period. 

 

However, in February 2009 the state of Michigan announced that the approach that the state will support going forward is a centralized approach, and that any regional activities alone will not be supported with state funds.  The HIE project will continue to move forward, however the HIT Commission will advise the state on implementation of the HIE in all of the 9 regions that Michigan was originally divided into to utilize economies of scale and to provide a more viable business plan to ensure HIE implementation success.   MiHIA has not yet determined how this will shape its new role at the regional level, but in the meantime it will continue to seek out additional funding from private sources and continue to engage consumers and others of the stakeholder community.

 

What is the Great Lakes bay area and beyond?

 

MiHIA focuses its activities among 11 counties in the central Michigan region. They include Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Arenac, Bay, Sanilac, Tuscola, and Huron counties. It is one of nine regions defined by the State of Michigan Department of Community Health. 

 

Who is currently involved?

 

Some of the organizations originally contacted include The Dow Chemical Company, CMU-Research Corporation, MidMichigan Health, Michigan Cardiovascular Institute, Central Michigan University, Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health, Bay Medical Center, Covenant Health Care, General Motors Corporation, Central Michigan Community Hospital, St. Mary's of Michigan, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, and Michigan Dept. of Community Health. More organizations are becoming involved daily.

 

Why are HIEs valuable?

 

HIEs enable the access to and retrieval of clinical data. This pertinent information helps physicians and other clinicians provide safer, more timely, efficient, effective, equitable and patient-centered care.

 

Are there similar HIE initiatives like this?

 

There are a great number of State and regional HIE activities at various stages of evolution.  A few HIEs that have been successful include the Indiana Health Information Exchange and the MidSouth eHealth Alliance in Memphis, Tennessee.

 

 

Will medical records be protected?

 

Much like online bank accounts, patients’ electronic medical records (EMR) will be secure. This will be one of the highest priorities of the HIE.  There will be adequate legal and technical professionals working to make sure the sharing network is secure and that the data is only shared in ways that do not violate any privacy laws.

 

What is a Value Exchange?

 

A Value Exchange is a multi-stakeholder organization that has taken clear action in its community to convene community purchasers, health plans, providers, and consumers to advance the four cornerstones of Value-Driven Health Care:

 

  • Interoperable Health Information Technology (Health IT Standards)
  • Measure and Publish Quality Information (Quality Standards)
  • Measure and Publish Price Information (Price Standards)
  • Promote Quality and Efficiency of Care (Incentives)

 

MiHIA was designated as formally chartered value exchange in August 2008 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, an agency supported by the Department of Health and Human Services.

 

Click on each link to learn more. (would need to add this in)

 

 

 

What are the benefits of health information technology?

 

(Health IT) allows comprehensive management of medical information and its secure exchange between health care consumers and providers. Broad use of health IT will:

 

  • Improve health care quality
  • Prevent medical errors
  • Reduce health care costs
  • Increase administrative efficiencies
  • Decrease paperwork
  • Expand access to affordable care

 

How can my organization become involved?

 

If you would like to become involved, email ______ or click here to fill out a contact form.