Nov 21
2016
GLHC Referral Application Update Fulfills Meaningful Use Requirements
Grand Rapids, Mich. – The most recent update to the Great Lakes Health Connect (GLHC) Referral Application contains enhancements to significantly improve care coordination throughout its health information exchange network. The Referral Application offers health systems, physicians, payers, behavioral health providers, community organizations and other related organizations a secure repository for sending and receiving referrals throughout Michigan.
With this latest update, the Referral Application will facilitate the sending and receiving of a Continuity of Care Document (CCD) in XML format, consistent with the requirements of Meaningful Use 2. XML format, which is similar to PDF or .doc format, is a document type that can be reviewed and then stored by all electronic medical record (EMR) systems. XML format is the only document type approved for Meaningful Use.
“We’ve been working with the team at GLHC for years. Now having the ability to send and receive XML formatted CCDs between providers and organizations is extremely helpful” said J. Polizzi, DO, Regional Ambulatory Chief Medical Information Officer at Affinia Health Network,
Mercy Health. He added, “This will help us meet Meaningful Use and will, more importantly, exchange and reconcile pertinent clinical patient information in our EMR.”
Previously, the process of reviewing attachments for differences in patient information was labor intensive and required manual entry of any updated data into the patient’s EMR. Now, when an XML file is attached to the electronic referral, information fields within the EMR can be automatically updated due to the EMR’s ability to recognize XML format. Today, both the sending and receiving office has access to the most up-to-date information about a patient and a more efficient means for ensuring the accuracy of patient data.
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About Great Lakes Health Connect:
Great Lakes Health Connect (GLHC) is among the leading providers of health information exchange services in the nation. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, GLHC seamlessly and securely facilitates the transmission of more than a billion messages annually across 129 health systems and nearly 4,000 primary, specialty, and allied care provider offices across the state. The community-based nonprofit is dedicated to improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare information by creating care-connected communities across Michigan and beyond. For more information, visit www.gl-hc.org.