[Med-privacy] WA State

[Peter Marshall]

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HCA and Qualis Health Collaborate on Patient Privacy and Security 
Project; Project Focus Will Be on Security of Interoperable Patient 
Health Information Networks

SEATTLE --(Business Wire)-- June 12, 2006 -- The Office of Governor 
Chris Gregoire and the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) announced 
that Washington state has been awarded a federal contract to determine 
if its business practices and security and privacy policy support a 
system that allows patients and medical practices to exchange patient 
health records electronically.
  To facilitate an open, public dialog about an interoperable health 
information infrastructure and recommend solutions instrumental in the 
design of a standardized system, the Governor's Office designated 
Qualis Health, a Seattle-based healthcare Quality Improvement 
Organization, to serve as the state's lead on the Health Information 
Privacy and Security Collaboration (HISPC).

  HISPC is a nationwide program funded by the Research Triangle 
Institute (RTI), under contract with the Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS).

  "The Governor made it clear that expanding the use of health 
information technology is a critical component in efforts to control 
costs through increased efficiencies," said Steve Hill, administrator 
with the Health Care Authority. "Equally critical is an assurance to 
our citizens that such enhancements will not jeopardize their privacy 
or security."

  In addition to controlling costs and improving efficiencies, 
interoperable health information technology systems can improve the 
quality of patient care and healthcare delivery. Despite the benefit to 
patients and providers alike, government agencies recognize that the 
widespread adoption of electronic medical records hinges on consumer 
confidence that patient privacy and security concerns have been 
addressed.

  "Technology is increasingly playing a significant role in improving 
the healthcare system as a whole and patient care in particular," said 
Jonathan Sugarman, MD, MPH, president and CEO of Qualis Health. "The 
HISPC initiative offers the state of Washington a promising opportunity 
to engage the experts, understand the barriers that exist and influence 
the future of secure health information exchange systems."

  Qualis Health, a private nonprofit Quality Improvement Organization 
was appointed based on its relationships with key Washington 
information technology stakeholders and the organization's experience 
managing health technology initiatives such as DOQ-IT (Doctor's Office 
Quality - Information Technology). DOQ-IT is a federal government 
funded program designed to help physician practices adopt electronic 
health records.

  The project requires that Qualis Health assemble "working groups" 
consisting of experts in health information exchange business practices 
and related legal requirements in privacy and security policies. These 
volunteer groups will identify variations in state laws and business 
practices and will collaborate with Qualis Health in identifying best 
practice solutions that protect privacy and security of health 
information and promote interoperable health information exchange. For 
additional information regarding participation in the working groups, 
or about the HISPC project, contact Greg Baumgardner of Qualis Health 
at 206-364-9700, ext. 2263.

  The Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, Inc., a private 
nonprofit corporation that supports innovations in healthcare 
internationally, recently announced that public and private entities in 
22 states signed agreements to examine state laws and security 
practices related to the exchange of patient health information. RTI is 
collaborating with the National Governors Association to oversee the 
project.

  About the Health Care Authority

  The Washington State Health Care Authority is a cabinet level agency 
that administers health programs and provides access to high-quality 
health care for more than 500,000 Washington residents, including 
316,000 state and local government employees and 128,000 enrollees in 
Basic Health, a state-subsidized program for low-income families. HCA's 
mission is to make affordable health care accessible by delivering the 
best value in health care to all enrollees through efficient 
procurement strategies and cost-effective health-care delivery systems.

  About Qualis Health

  Qualis Health is dedicated to improving the quality of healthcare 
delivery and health outcomes for individuals and populations across the 
nation. In operation since 1974, the non-profit, healthcare quality 
improvement organization (QIO) is headquartered in Seattle, Washington 
and has offices in Alaska, Idaho and California.

Copyright 2006 Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC)


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<bigger>HCA and Qualis Health Collaborate on Patient Privacy and
Security Project; Project Focus Will Be on Security of Interoperable
Patient Health Information Networks


</bigger></fontfamily></bold>SEATTLE --(Business Wire)-- June 12, 2006
-- The Office of Governor Chris Gregoire and the Washington Health
Care Authority (HCA) announced that Washington state has been awarded
a federal contract to determine if its business practices and security
and privacy policy support a system that allows patients and medical
practices to exchange patient health records electronically. 

 To facilitate an open, public dialog about an interoperable health
information infrastructure and recommend solutions instrumental in the
design of a standardized system, the Governor's Office designated
Qualis Health, a Seattle-based healthcare Quality Improvement
Organization, to serve as the state's lead on the Health Information
Privacy and Security Collaboration (HISPC). 


 HISPC is a nationwide program funded by the Research Triangle
Institute (RTI), under contract with the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS). 


 "The Governor made it clear that expanding the use of health
information technology is a critical component in efforts to control
costs through increased efficiencies," said Steve Hill, administrator
with the Health Care Authority. "Equally critical is an assurance to
our citizens that such enhancements will not jeopardize their privacy
or security." 


 In addition to controlling costs and improving efficiencies,
interoperable health information technology systems can improve the
quality of patient care and healthcare delivery. Despite the benefit
to patients and providers alike, government agencies recognize that
the widespread adoption of electronic medical records hinges on
consumer confidence that patient privacy and security concerns have
been addressed. 


 "Technology is increasingly playing a significant role in improving
the healthcare system as a whole and patient care in particular," said
Jonathan Sugarman, MD, MPH, president and CEO of Qualis Health. "The
HISPC initiative offers the state of Washington a promising
opportunity to engage the experts, understand the barriers that exist
and influence the future of secure health information exchange
systems." 


 Qualis Health, a private nonprofit Quality Improvement Organization
was appointed based on its relationships with key Washington
information technology stakeholders and the organization's experience
managing health technology initiatives such as DOQ-IT (Doctor's Office
Quality - Information Technology). DOQ-IT is a federal government
funded program designed to help physician practices adopt electronic
health records. 


 The project requires that Qualis Health assemble "working groups"
consisting of experts in health information exchange business
practices and related legal requirements in privacy and security
policies. These volunteer groups will identify variations in state
laws and business practices and will collaborate with Qualis Health in
identifying best practice solutions that protect privacy and security
of health information and promote interoperable health information
exchange. For additional information regarding participation in the
working groups, or about the HISPC project, contact Greg Baumgardner
of Qualis Health at 206-364-9700, ext. 2263. 


 The Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, Inc., a private
nonprofit corporation that supports innovations in healthcare
internationally, recently announced that public and private entities
in 22 states signed agreements to examine state laws and security
practices related to the exchange of patient health information. RTI
is collaborating with the National Governors Association to oversee
the project. 


 About the Health Care Authority 


 The Washington State Health Care Authority is a cabinet level agency
that administers health programs and provides access to high-quality
health care for more than 500,000 Washington residents, including
316,000 state and local government employees and 128,000 enrollees in
Basic Health, a state-subsidized program for low-income families.
HCA's mission is to make affordable health care accessible by
delivering the best value in health care to all enrollees through
efficient procurement strategies and cost-effective health-care
delivery systems. 


 About Qualis Health 


 Qualis Health is dedicated to improving the quality of healthcare
delivery and health outcomes for individuals and populations across
the nation. In operation since 1974, the non-profit, healthcare
quality improvement organization (QIO) is headquartered in Seattle,
Washington and has offices in Alaska, Idaho and California. 

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</smaller></fontfamily><smaller>Copyright 2006 Technology Marketing
Corporation (TMC) 


</smaller>
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