What is an HIE (Health Information Exchange)?

A Health Information Exchange is the electronic sharing and mobilization of health information (data pulled from medical records) across organizations in order to provide access to more complete and timely clinical data. Through improved access to health information, those at the point of delivery can provide safer, more efficient, effective, equitable and higher quality health care.

How is my medical record information protected?

Patients give permission for data to be “shared” or viewable by end-users by signing an authorization form that is compliant with HIPAA and state privacy laws. The ICare system is an extremely secure way to exchange information electronically among health care providers. The technology utilized by ICare protects against unauthorized access to medical information.

What is the ICC?

The ICC is a nonprofit alliance of health care providers in Central Texas dedicated to the collection, analysis and sharing of health information with the goal of improving health care quality and cost efficiency across the continuum of care.

What is the ICare system?

The ICare system is a regional Health Information Exchange (HIE) based in Central Texas which was created in 2002 and has continued to grow and evolve since. At present, ICare contains data for nearly 1 million patients with over 6 million encounters (provider visits) at 60 locations throughout the Central Texas region. As more health care providers implement electronic medical records and see the benefits of HIE for meaningful use and improved health outcomes for their patients, ICare continues to expand.

What are the benefits of the ICare system / HIEs?

HIEs make it possible for health care providers to monitor and improve a patient’s continuity of care across the entire health care spectrum. By tracking trends in health data across a region or population, HIEs can identify community health issues and help develop and measure the impact of initiatives to improve health outcomes within a community. In addition, HIE systems help control costs by reducing duplicate tests, reducing manual printing, paper, ink, mailing and time spent recovering missing patient information.

What is an electronic medical record (EMR)?

An EMR is computer-based digital record and software system containing patient health care information. This information includes a patient’s medical history, including a list of all illnesses and medical procedures as well as results and treatments in electronic form. Such a format provides immediate access by health care professionals involved in the patient’s treatment. An EMR replaces traditional paper records which you typically see when visiting your physician’s office.