Central Michigan University

CMU-RC joins Michigan Health Information Alliance in leading mid-Michigan health information exchange efforts

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Topics in this story: Health, University news

A new partnership forged by the Central Michigan University Research Corp. will help to create a regional network of health information.

CMU-RC is collaborating with the Michigan Health Information Alliance, leveraging technology to create a mid-Michigan health information exchange.

The corporation joins an array of established regional organizations and hospitals in the alliance, some of which include The Dow Chemical Co., Michigan Cardiovascular Institute, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan and the Michigan Department of Community Health.

The State of Michigan has awarded a $720,000 Health Information Exchange planning grant to aid the alliance's efforts in advancing the accessibility of health care information. A total of $305,000 has been funded for the current fiscal year, with the remaining funds dependent upon the state's 2008 budget.

CMU-RC serves as the supervising agent of the MIHIA project, which is laying the groundwork for a health information exchange in Central Michigan, a trading area that includes Clare, Gratiot, Gladwin, Isabella, Midland, Arenac, Bay, Saginaw, Sanilac, Tuscola and Huron counties. It is one of nine medical trading areas defined by the MDCH.

The Health Information Exchange grant will make it possible to share and access information electronically between organizations within a region or community. According to the MIHIA, this will translate into the ultimate improvement of health care quality, safety, access and cost-effectiveness.

Medical records will remain confidential. The MIHIA will have legal and technical professionals working to ensure that the sharing network is secure and that no privacy laws are violated.

The state grant will aid the MIHIA in developing a health information exchange program plan that can be implemented at the end of the 16-month period.