OCHIN Receives $13.2 Million for EHRs

July 7, 2010 – Score another victory for Oregon when it comes to electronic health records. More than 3,000 primary care providers – many of whom practice in rural communities -- will benefit from $13.2 million in federal stimulus funds secured by OCHIN, a safety-net collaborative focused on information technology.

 

As Oregon’s Regional Extension Center, OCHIN intends to work collaboratively with stakeholders throughout the state to provide technical assistance and field support services, helping providers meet the federal definition of “meaningful use” for such systems.

 

In return, within the four years, those providers will receive up to $64,000 in federal incentives. Small clinics, with 10 or fewer providers, in outlying communities are being targeted. These funds will help them install or improve their use of electronic health records and comply, for example, with patient privacy issues.

 

“We want to use this technology to improve the quality of care and achieve better patient outcomes,” said Abby Sears, OCHIN’s executive director. “We already have a track record of doing this, and are a very technology savvy state.”  

 

To achieve its goals, OCHIN is collaborating with Oregon Health & Science University to help transform the delivery of primary care services, working with independent provider associations, rural research networks and technical partners.

 

“We’re hoping to drive out some of the variance that’s not productive in the workflow of providers so patient outcomes improve,” Sears said.

 

Work-force training programs will also be designed to prepare more Oregonians for careers in this high growth sector.

 

The Regional Extension Center will also participate in the development of interoperable health information technology and health information exchange systems and services to provide clinicians, health systems and policymakers with the information they need to advance the state’s healthcare system and infrastructure.  

 

“The fed’s financial support of electronic health records for primary care providers and the center as a statewide resource is a triple win for providers, their patients and our state,” Sears added. “We are ready to go to work.”

 

 To learn more about OCHIN’s work go to www.ochin.org