Saint Luke's Health System Joins Missouri Health Connection, Ensuring Network Coverage In Kansas City

Saint Luke’s participation expands Missouri Health Connection’s presence in the Kansas City market.

Missouri Health Connection (MHC) recently announced the addition of the Saint Luke’s Health System, Kansas City, Mo., to its network. Saint Luke’s participation expands MHC’s reach into the Kansas City market, enabling the secure exchange of health information between health care providers to improve the quality and coordination of care provided to patients in Kansas City.  Joining MHC gives Saint Luke’s Health System membership in the and only statewide health information network in Missouri that is committed to serving every health care provider in the state.  Saint Luke’s Health System is the fifth large health system in the state to become a participant with MHC, making MHC the only health information network in Missouri to have health care system representation in all regions of the state.  With the addition of Saint Luke’s Health System, MHC’s participants provide more than half of the inpatient care provided in Missouri with 70 hospitals, and more than 350 clinics and community health centers. The network enables more than 7,000 physicians to securely access the health information of their patients to improve care quality.    

“Saint Luke’s is pleased to be part of Missouri Health Connect.  Our patients come from a wide service area so it is important to connect to as many providers as possible to ensure good coordination of care, MHC provides us with that capability,” said Deborah Gash, VP and Chief Information Officer. “With MHC, we’ll always have the right information in the right hands at the right time.”

“Saint Luke’s Health System is an important addition to our network, considering that it delivers care services to one of the largest metropolitan areas in Missouri,’” said Marc Andiel, MHC’s Interim President and CEO. “Saint Luke’s participation in our network is an important step for MHC to complete its mission to service a statewide health information exchange network.”

About Saint Luke’s Health System
Saint Luke’s Health System consists of 10 area hospitals and several primary and specialty care practices, and provides a range of inpatient, outpatient, and home care services. Founded as a faith-based, not-for-profit organization, Saint Luke’s mission includes a commitment to the highest levels of excellence in health care and the advancement of medical research and education.

About Missouri Health Connection
MHC is the state-designated entity that provides the secure, statewide health information network technological infrastructure connecting health care providers with their patients through a secure health information network. As more health care providersmove from paper-based medical records to electronic health record (EHR) systems, MHC is working to make sure they can exchangeinformation with each other through one secure network – regardless of the technology platforms that they are using. The connectivity services provided by MHC are designed to support all health care provider organizations, from the largest multi-hospital health system to a solo physician practice.  Coordinating care, reducing preventable errors, and avoiding treatment duplication are among MHC’s primary goals. MHC’s network will improve patient care and help save lives in emergencies by securely delivering more complete and accurate information at the point of care, or wherever it is needed. MHC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and is governed by a public-private board of directors. For mor information, visit www.MissouriHealthConnection.org.