December 2024 | Issue 58

End of Year Recap with President and CEO, Dan Porreca

As the year comes to a close, we take this opportunity to celebrate the HEALTHeLINK team's achievements while also looking ahead.

Reminder: Policy Changes

This is a reminder that the Operating Committees of HEALTHeLINK and HEALTHeNET have approved revisions to their respective Privacy and Security Policies and Procedures, effective December 23, 2024.

This Notice is given pursuant to Sections 2.3, 3.4, and 3.5 of the HEALTHeLINK Participation Agreement Terms & Conditions and the Data Recipient Agreement Terms & Conditions for HEALTHeNET, which require 30 days' notice to all Participants prior to the effective date of any changes.

HEALTHeLINK Revisions (Effective December 23, 2024)

Glossary Updates: Aligning with SHIN-NY definitions.

New Additions:

Statewide Consent Date
Statewide Form of Consent

P03 Authorized User Access:

Participants must verify the identity of their Authorized Users.
HEALTHeLINK must verify the identity of their personnel.
Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) not subject to HIPAA can access patient data with affirmative consent and minimum necessary standards.

P04 Patient Consent:

Clarification that PHI can be shared with the Department of Health (DOH) without affirmative consent for certain purposes.
Technical changes to accommodate the upcoming Statewide Consent initiative.

HEALTHeNET Revisions (Effective December 23, 2024)

P01 Authorized User Access:

Data Suppliers/Data Recipients must verify the identity of their Authorized Users.
HEALTHeNET must verify the identity of their personnel.

For more detailed information, you can review the current and revised policies on the respective websites:

HEALTHeLINK Policies and Procedures

HEALTHeNET Policies and Procedures

TEFCA (Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement) is a government-endorsed initiative for nationwide health data sharing. It launched at the end of 2023, allowing Qualified Health Information Networks (QHINs) to exchange data securely under common standards.

As we continue to evolve and grow the services offered in our community, we’d like to learn more about your organization’s knowledge of and interest in participating in TEFCA.

Please take a moment to complete the brief survey!

Take the Survey!

CIVITAS Annual Conference

HEALTHeLINK took center stage on a number of panels at the CIVITAS Conference in October, showcasing our innovative work and associated value to our community. Notably, the organization was honored with the prestigious 'Innovation Pioneer Award' for its groundbreaking work on the HEALTHeWNY Dashboard. This recognition, presented at the Civitas Networks for Health Community Excellence Awards ceremony, is a testament to our team’s dedication in bringing HEALTHeWNY to life and we are grateful for the support and utilization from the WNY community.

Dan Porreca, Karen Craik, and Pastor Nicholas led an insightful panel discussion on Health Equity, the merger of PHC and the HEALTHeWNY Dashboard.

Jillian Greenbaum was part of a panel discussion on CMS, HIE, & Public Health Partnerships to Drive Value-Based Care Transformation.

Population Health Update

HEALTHeLINK is collaborating with community-based organizations (CBOs) to improve the support offered to clients by utilizing data-driven insights. Through these partnerships, HEALTHeLINK provides CBOs with comprehensive health data, enabling them to effectively identify and address the specific needs of individuals in their communities. By sharing information about patient demographics and trends in care utilization, these collaborations empower CBOs to tailor their services, streamline outreach efforts, and facilitate more coordinated care.

This synergy not only enhances the ability of CBOs to support at-risk populations but also promotes a holistic approach to healthcare that recognizes the complex relationship between medical and social factors, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

Interested in learning more?

Contact the Pop Health Team: pophealth@wnyhealthelink.com

HIE Platform Migration – Fusion Project

HEALTHeLINK is advancing its priority project to migrate to a new Health Information Exchange (HIE) platform. In alignment with the SHIN-NY’s shared infrastructure initiative, HEALTHeLINK has joined the Advancing Shared Infrastructure Consortium, which includes HealtheConnections, Rochester RHIO, Bronx RHIO, and Tech by Design. Over the past several months, the Consortium has conducted a thorough evaluation and selected a new HIE platform system. HEALTHeLINK will be the first Qualified Entity (QE) within the Consortium to transition to the chosen Fusion product.

HEALTHeLINK in the Community

November 23, 2024 - Members of the HEALTHeLINK team participated in the Rural Outreach Center's free Health and Wellness event, bringing valuable health services and support to the community.

Catholic Health System - Sleep Studies

As of August 26, 2024, Catholic Health System (CHS) has successfully integrated sleep studies, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and electromyograms (EMGs) into their transcribed reports shared with HEALTHeLINK. This advancement marks a significant achievement in streamlining and enhancing the accessibility of critical health data through the highly regarded Health Information Exchange.

HEALTHeLINK is Hiring!

Join Our Team!

We are hiring for an IT Security Analyst, Program Manager and Senior Developer, check out these postings and apply today!

View our Careers Page!

GUIDE 2 BETTER CARE Segments

HEALTHeLINK’s Guide 2 Better Care segments air every other Wednesday on WGRZ-TV, during the 4pm and 11pm newscasts. Local health care leaders provide education about HEALTHeLINK as well as highlight the value and benefits of HIE in Western New York.

Guide to Better Care Segments

ADOPTION

Percent of WNY practices who participate with HEALTHeLINK: 87%

Total number of patient consent forms signed: 1,601,993.

Total results available through HEALTHeLINK: 398,927,646.

Total number of patient record look up queries in HEALTHeLINK YTD:5,090,395

Total number of practices sending data to HEALTHeLINK from their EHR: 580

Total number of practices getting results delivered from HEALTHeLINK into their EHR:753

NEW DATA SOURCES

Absolut Care Orchard Brook

Allegany Family Practice

Cedar Pediatrics

Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services – ACP Documents

Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care

Genesee County Mental Health Services

Lakeshore Primary Care Associates

Neighborhood Health Center

The Resource Center Mental Health

Southgate Medical Practice – ACP Documents

University Emergency Medical Services Telemedicine

WNY Immediate Care

For a complete listing of data sources and participating practices, click here.

PATIENT RECORD LOOK-UP TOP USERS

Hospital Users

Kaleida Health System

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Care

Catholic Health System

Erie County Medical Center

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center

Physician Practice Users

General Physicians PC

Dent Neurologic Institute

Buffalo Medical Group

Trinity Medical Cardiology

WNY Coordinated Medical Care

WNY Urology Associates

Windsong Radiology Group PC

RPCI Oncology PC

UB Surgeons

Landmark Medical PC

Great Lakes Physician Practice

University Neurology

UB Neurosurgery, Inc.

Gastroenterology Associates

The Chautauqua Center

Other Participant Users

Independent Health

Person Centered Services Health Home

Hospice Buffalo

ConnectLife

Optimum NY IPA (Great Lakes Integrated Network)

Proud member of Civitas Networks for Health

Proud to be part of the Statewide Health Information Network for New York (SHIN-NY)