Texas HIE Becomes Fourth In The Nation To Achieve Full Accreditation

By Karla Paris

Accreditation ensures Healthcare Access San Antonio is interoperable with state and federal programs, and provide the private, secure, and proper exchange of health information in accordance with established laws and public policy.

HIETexas announced recently that Healthcare Access San Antonio (HASA), the Health Information Exchange organization for Bexar and 21 surrounding counties in South Central Texas, has achieved full accreditation with the Texas Health Information Exchange Accreditation Program (TX-HIEAP). The accreditation was approved by the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) and the Texas Health Services Authority (THSA), which operates HIETexas.

HASA is the first HIE to achieve accreditation in Texas and only the fourth in the nation to receive recognition from EHNAC. HIE is the electronic transfer of health-related information between healthcare providers and systems.

The creation of this statewide health information exchange allows health information to be securely exchanged between providers within Texas. This will increase the coordination and quality of care while improving efficiency in the health care system increasing consumer empowerment and control.

Gijs van Oort, executive director for HASA said, “HASA opted to be among the first in the nation to apply for accreditation because total adoption of any health information exchange can happen only when patients are confident that their health data is uncompromisingly secure.”

HASA offers value-based, patient-centered information services intended to improve the health status of individuals and the communities it serves. As a 501(c)3 community collaborative, HASA fosters trust, cooperation and communication among its stakeholders. Supported by major providers in the community, HASA adds to the medical safety net by offering an electronic shared patient record in a safe and secure environment.

Tony Gilman, CEO of the Texas Health Services Authority stated, “Increasing confidence and trust in organizations involved in exchanging and maintaining electronic health information will not only foster greater participation in HIEs, but also support sustainability of HIE efforts in Texas and across the United States.

Source: HIETexas