A WORD FROM JENN SEARLS:

Connie Makes an Impact

As I write this newsletter entry, the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology has recently announced the operational status of the nationwide health data exchange governed by the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA). Connie celebrates the announcement and the ongoing national push to securely share health information and afford patients increased access to their records. 

Here in Connecticut, our impact is local. We were created specifically by and for the citizens of our state. As we celebrate another year of groundbreaking strides in healthcare connectivity, I'm thrilled to share that Connie continues to grow and connect healthcare organizations across the state for the benefit of patients and providers. 

Connie Strengthens Healthcare Connections Statewide 

Members of Connie’s Account Management team reached out to more than 9,000 healthcare organizations to onboard them to Connie. As of this writing, I am proud to share that we serve 44 hospitals, 1,900 healthcare organizations, and share data for 4.5 million patients. Connie stands as a beacon of interoperability, linking state healthcare entities for improved patient outcomes and experiences. 

Increasing Utilization and Impactful Metrics 

As we grow, we see utilization of our tools growing as well: 

• Active access to 20,000 patient records per month, promoting comprehensive and informed decision-making in patient care. 
• Receiving an impressive 1.1 million clinical data records every week, contributing to a wealth of information that enhances diagnostic accuracy and treatment plans. 
• Facilitating nearly 374,000 patient encounters per week, ensuring personalized and timely interventions. 
• Providing over 600,000 patient alerts weekly, promoting proactive care management and preventing potential health crises before they escalate. 

Connie is more than mere connectivity—it's a catalyst for improved patient outcomes, streamlined operations, and a united healthcare ecosystem. As we forge ahead, let's leverage these accomplishments as stepping stones toward a future where connected healthcare defines our success. 

Local Impact 

All the numbers don’t motivate the Connie team as much as the individual stories shared. We hear from providers who have a reduced burden searching for patient information, which they use to provide more timely care for their patients. This year, United Care Services has used our technology to enable the creation of comprehensive stroke protocols for their patients, enabling them to proactively provide care and services to their patients who suffer from strokes. We hear frequently from provider organizations who now have access to information when their patients are hospitalized and can follow up and provide coordinated care. This is the local impact we have and will continue to have as we grow. 

A Heartfelt Thank You and Future Vision 

Reflecting on Connie's remarkable journey over the last year, I extend deep gratitude to Connie's dedicated staff, participants, stakeholders, advocates, and supporters. Your steadfast commitment has fueled Connie's success story, witnessing substantial milestones in quality patient care and enhanced efficiencies. 

As we celebrate, let's continue to celebrate our growth as we expand our network and enhance the quality of data within our system. Fine-tuning our tools and features will ensure optimal utilization, empowering healthcare professionals to make informed decisions and provide exceptional care. 

Thank you to Connie's staff and our community for embarking on this journey with us and making interoperability a reality in Connecticut. Together, we've laid the foundation for a future where collaborative healthcare is the industry standard. In the coming years, let's continue this journey with a shared commitment to advancing healthcare through connectivity, excited about the growth and positive impact we will achieve together. 

NEW PARTICIPANTS ARE JOINING CONNIE EVERY DAY!

We are thrilled to share with you that as of December 2023, we have established connections with hundreds of participating organizations (POs) that securely exchange data for over 4.5 million patients through Connie. We would like to highlight some of our recently onboarded partners who are actively sharing data via our Health Information Exchange. Don't forget to explore the Connected Participating Organizations Dashboard to view our continuously growing list of connected organizations and discover the valuable data they contribute! 

LEADING FROM THE FRONT

We are thrilled to share exciting news in healthcare innovation! SoNE HEALTH has made history as the first network to tap into Connie, Connecticut's official Health Information Exchange (HIE). This groundbreaking collaboration is reshaping healthcare delivery for better outcomes. Read the Full Article

Three years ago, SoNE HEALTH embarked on a transformative journey with Connie, the CT State HIE. Recognizing the crucial role of data integration in patient care, their goal was to be a pioneer in connecting to Connie and leveraging the wealth of data it provides. Now, SoNE HEALTH has integrated critical health information from Connie's Connect Gateway, marking a significant milestone in data enrichment for their organization. 

Lisa Trumble, President and CEO at SoNE HEALTH, expressed enthusiasm for the next level of data enrichment, stating, "Getting the ADTs represents the next level in data enrichment for our organization, and we are excited for how this data will further enhance patient care." 

Health information received from Connie, particularly Admit, Discharge, and Transfer transactions (ADTs), assists SoNE HEALTH clinicians and physicians in better coordinating patient care. This clinical data allows for faster interventions, encouraging better patient outcomes and helping to reduce readmissions. 

Integrating clinical data from ADTs with claims data provides a comprehensive view of patients, informing better care decisions. Moreover, this integrated data supports medical economics and other systems, enabling providers to manage metrics related to the quality of care more effectively. 

Jenn Searls, Connie's Executive Director, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, "Our collaboration with SoNE HEALTH highlights the benefit of a robust statewide HIE in making healthcare delivery seamless and effective. Ensuring that all providers have equitable access to critical health information enhances the healthcare experience for everyone and improves patient outcomes. We are proud to support SoNE HEALTH." 

Be part of the good news and learn more about how SoNE HEALTH's integration with Connie is reshaping healthcare delivery for better outcomes. Read and share the transformation! 

CHECK OUT OUR LATEST PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIAL

"My favorite thing about Connie is accessing the clinical notes from other providers! Sometimes you go in, and you can simply click on a tab and see the discharge summary. It’s the most valuable because that’s where I get the most information. It’s also great having the PMP integrated into that because it saves me from having to go between two different systems." 

Ewarma Ampofo, MSN, APRN, NP-C | Sterling Family Medicine

“The CT Oral Health event was great! It was amazing to put faces to some of the names that we see in our day-to-day work, and we really enjoyed learning more about COHI and the impact they have in Connecticut’s oral health scene.” - Melissa Shuster, Program Assistant

TRANSFORMING DATA INTO ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS

We're thrilled to share some exciting enhancements to our services, designed to provide you with more comprehensive and user-friendly healthcare information! 

Problems List: 

• We've consolidated problems from various Continuity of Care Documents (CCDs) into a single, user-friendly list. 
• The Problems tab within the Clinical Information/InContext app now displays a consolidated list of active problems for each patient. 

Immunizations Parsed from CCDs: 

• Access a compilation of immunization data from CCDs contributed by participating organizations. 
• Immunizations are deduplicated across sources, providing a consolidated vaccine history for each patient. 
• Features include displaying the immunization date, vaccine name, administering organization, last reported date, and the most recent reporting organization. 
• Perfect for including out-of-state or adult immunizations not previously reported through CT Wiz. 

While CT Wiz remains the source of truth for vaccine scheduling, our Immunization service supplements data for a more holistic patient overview. 

Stay tuned for more updates as we work on parsing allergies, vitals, and procedures in 2024!

CELEBRATING MARK RAYMOND, C-SUITE HONOREE AND VALUED CONNIE BOARD MEMBER

We are thrilled to celebrate Mark Raymond, a valued Connie Board member, for his recent recognition as a 2023 C-Suite Honoree by the Hartford Business Journal! Mark's remarkable dedication and commitment are evident in his service and unwavering support for Connie. We're honored to have him on our Board, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to fulfill Connie's mission. 

Mark Raymond is the Chief Information Officer for the State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services, overseeing a massive organization of 30,000 employees. His leadership has been pivotal in making state government more accessible to the public, ensuring data security, and fostering a positive work environment for the IT organization. 

Mark's significant achievements over the past year include leading the consolidation of state IT employees into a new organization, resulting in an engaged workforce and the delivery of crucial government services. 

Beyond his professional role, Mark actively contributes to the community by chairing the CT Commission for Educational Technology and serving on Connecticut's state-designated Health Information Exchange (Connie), which facilitates the sharing of health data across the state. 

Mark's dedication to his work and the community is truly commendable. Join us in congratulating him on this well-deserved recognition! Read the full story

WELCOME OUR NEWEST TEAM MEMBER

Join us in extending a warm welcome to our newest team member, Kari Sovanski, who has stepped into the role of Project Manager. We are delighted to have Kari on board as we collectively strive to make a meaningful impact on healthcare. Her passion for delivering quality data to support both patients and providers aligns seamlessly with Connie's mission. Welcome to the team, Kari!

CELEBRATING CONNIE ANNIVERSARIES

We are thrilled to commemorate the work anniversaries of three exceptional team members at Connie! Kelsey Parrish, one of our newest members, is reaching a significant milestone, celebrating her first year with Connie. Amanda Stevens is commemorating two years of dedicated contributions to our Account Management Team, and our esteemed leader, Executive Director Jenn Searls, has been driving the vision for Connie for over three years now! We've invited Kelsey, Amanda, and Jenn to reflect on their experiences and share the most valuable lessons learned during their time here. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication!

Working at Connie has been a great experience! I am able to constantly expand my knowledge in the HIE space and the technology behind it. The Connie team is so welcoming and has provided such a positive and supportive environment. I am grateful to work with such a fun group of people. I'm looking forward to continuing to grow within my position at Connie. 

Over the last two years, I have learned that the work you do every day can make a difference in someone else’s life. Connie’s mission to provide better patient care throughout Connecticut has allowed me to feel accomplished in the work that my colleagues and I are doing. I’m grateful to be a part of such a wonderful team to achieve such rewarding goals! 

What I love about Connie is the same thing every year - the team! We have pulled together a dedicated and committed team who are as committed to secure electronic health information exchange for our state's residents as I am. I love the camaraderie of the group, the creativity and innovation when we put our heads together to solve complicated problems, and the willingness to support each other when the work gets hard. It is a real treat to be able to come to work every day knowing the group that we have supporting Connie! 

YOUR OPINION MATTERS!

If you're a regular Connie user and would like to provide us with some feedback on our current services, we would love to hear from you! Please take 2 minutes to complete our survey below. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!