Michigan’s two largest health information exchanges (HIEs) are planning to merge, creating one of the largest such exchanges in the country, according to multiple news outlets in Michigan.
Last October, the East Lansing-based Great Lakes Health Information Exchange and Michigan Health Connect, based in Grand Rapids, collaborated, allowing the state’s physicians and other healthcare providers to share medical records electronically. At that time, more than 3,000 provider offices and 96 hospitals were involved.
Michigan Health and Great Lakes are the largest of six similar organizations in Michigan. Now, the merger is said to position Michigan as a national leader in the exchange of electronic health records (EHRs) to provide optimal patient care, according to the Grand Rapids Business Journal (GRBJ).
"Millions of Michigan residents will receive better care and achieve greater levels of personal health as a result of this merger," Patrick O'Hare, board chair of Michigan Health Connect, said in a statement, reported by GRBJ.
