Conference Showcases the Future of Health Care Interconnectivity
The Internet2 Annual Fall Member Meeting was held on October 5-8, 2009. The conference focused on elements of network-based collaboration, including–but not limited to–virtual organizations, social networking, and software collaboration tools.
A keynote session at the conference featured the demonstration, developed by Internet2, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Federal Health Architecture. The demo will use the LEARN, Internet2, Iowa Health System, HealthLINC, and HealthBridge networks to connect a physician specialist in San Antonio with a nurse practitioner in a rural clinic to assist in patient care. The demo showcased how high-definition videoconferencing combined with the exchange of electronic medical records can significantly improve the delivery of healthcare to patients in rural settings.
During the demonstration, HealthLINC’s executive director, Dr. Todd Rowland, presented how health care exchange and technology could impact patient care. “Connecting healthcare nationwide will ensure that healthcare providers have better health information at the point of care,” stated Dr. Rowland. “The demonstration showed that connected technology can ensure patients and providers have access to key information instantly.”
Using standards established through the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) Demonstration project, HealthBridge and HealthLINC showcased the ability to exchange critical health information with other entities.
“This project is about improving patient care by seamlessly and securely exchanging health information wherever it’s needed,” said Rodney Cain, VP and CIO of HealthBridge and a member of the NHIN Technical Committee. “Developing a nationwide network will make it easier for doctors to have the information they need to provide high quality care. Regardless of where a patient is treated, the necessary information can get to them.”
HHS announced in May 2008 that HealthBridge and HealthLINC were one of six organizations awarded federal grants to help create the standards and agreements necessary for secure electronic communication of health information between selected communities and states. They joined a group of 16 health information exchanges and federal agencies involved in developing standards for nationwide exchange of health information.
