NJSHINE, a health information exchange (HIE) serving seven counties in southern New Jersey, has announced an alliance with a regional extension center in the state to promote data exchange between healthcare providers and patients.
NJSHINE’s collaboration with the New Jersey Health Information Technology Extension Center (NJ-HITEC) introduces physician practices within the area to NJSHINE and allows them to take advantage of NJ-HITEC’s services. Currently there are more than 8,000 New Jersey healthcare providers receiving services from NJ-HITEC which include: assistance in meeting the federal criteria for meaningful use, a physician quality reporting system (PQRS) data registry, access to its customized member portal, direct messaging, and account care organization (ACO) as well as patient-centered medical home (PCMH) support.
“We are eager to begin working with NJSHINE and welcome this alliance,” Bill O’Byrne, NJ-HITEC executive director, said in a statement. “Our staff is ready to assist NJSHINE doctors connect to the electronic health information network and medical records that are supplied by the member hospitals. We will also be able to assist our provider members to meet the federal meaningful use Stage 1 and Stage 2 incentive requirements, PQRS, and ACO funding opportunities offered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).”
Richard Wheatley, CIO, Cape Regional Medical Center and treasurer of NJSHINE, added, “NJSHINE provides a provider and a patient portal to facilitate patient care in our communities. NJ-HITEC’s track record of practice transformation and presence throughout New Jersey is well known. Working with NJ-HITEC allows us to reach out to physicians in an efficient and consistent manner. ”
NJSHINE—launched earlier this year— includes the following healthcare institutional and professional providers: Shore Medical Center, Cape Regional Medical Center, and the Inspira Medical Centers of Elmer, Vineland and Woodbury. NJSHINE will also connect other area health providers such as long-term care facilities and rehabilitation centers, officials say.
The Department of Health in New Jersey received an $11.6 million grant to support the health information exchange through the development of regional health information organizations and the NJHIN. The department also helped hospitals and providers receive $515 million in federal electronic health record (EHR) incentive funding to increase the use of EHRs in New Jersey.
