The Wyoming Health Information Organization is attempting to promote the use of electronic health record systems and connect them to a regional health data exchange network, the Casper Star-Tribune reports.
The not-for-profit organization has been designated as the steering committee for a University of Wyoming study, which will address the privacy and security obstacles to an electronic health data exchange network, said Larry Biggio, executive director of the organization. More than 30 other states are conducting similar investigations, according to the Star-Tribune.
WyHIO also is conducting a survey for the Wyoming Healthcare Commission on how many state facilities have implemented EHRs and how many electronically share information, said Beth Worthen, assistant director of the Wyoming Healthcare Commission. In addition, WyHIO is working with several other Wyoming groups to apply for a Federal Communications Grant to form a communications network of hospitals and other health providers, the Star-Tribune reports.
HHS about a year ago awarded WyHIO an $86,000 grant, although the funding only became available a few months ago, according to Dr. Geoffrey Smith, a Casper, Wyo., radiologist.
The Wyoming Medical Center has formed a health data network with Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette, Wyo., and the medical center is working to set up critical transfer networks with hospitals in Lusk, Lander and Riverton, Wyo., Smith said. It is unclear how many physician offices and hospitals are using EHRs, the Star-Tribune reports.
"The critical thing right now is funding," Smith said, adding, "We need some kind of funding from the federal government, and another source is the communities we are impacting" (Rupp, Casper Star-Tribune, 1/26).