Vermont Patients Favor HIEs
By Katie Wike, contributing writer
Vermont patients overwhelmingly saw HIEs as a positive addition to their healthcare according to recent Vermont Information Technology Leaders survey.
A recent survey from nonprofit Vermont Information Technology Leaders (VITL) shows 86 percent of respondents have heard either a lot or some about EHRs, and 77 percent had “a high level” of awareness of the HIE. According to Becker’s Hospital Review, survey results found 90 percent of respondents believe the HIE helps to better coordinate care, 90 percent believe the HIE helps providers access the most accurate patient information and 81 percent believes the HIE improves patient safety.
“The results from the survey are very encouraging and healthcare consumers clearly understand the benefits of health information technology and in particular the benefits of sharing of patient health information through the HIE,” said John K. Evans, VITL president and CEO in a press release. “The potential benefits that the respondents to the survey believe can be achieved through the sharing of patient health information will lead to better health care outcomes for all state residents, which is the collective goal of providers, VITL, the state of Vermont and the Green Mountain Care Board.”
Seventy-eight percent of respondents also said they believe HIEs will reduce unnecessary tests and procedures. The majority of those participating in the survey also indicated they were very comfortable or somewhat comfortable allowing their provider to store their health information electronically.
“Survey respondents also overwhelmingly believe the HIE will improve care in specific scenarios. For instance, 93 percent of respondents indicated the HIE will improve health care when the patient’s primary care physician has access to the most recent lab results prior to a preventative care visit which can avoid redundant and unnecessary tests,” according to the press release. “Another 93 percent indicated that in the event of emergency care while the patient is away from home, the provider would have the ability to search medication history and other important information prior to treatment in the emergency room.”
“There are many examples of how the HIE is improving care, but we need to continue to building the infrastructure to safely and securely exchange patient health information so that every resident can experience better outcomes from the health care system,” Evans continued. “With the continued support of the state and the provider community Vermont is well on its way to creating a robust and vibrant HIE that we are confident will achieve these critically important outcomes.”