HealtHIE Georgia, a regional health information exchange (RHIE) serving rural Georgia communities, is taking an innovative, multi-pronged approach to improving the health of the communities it serves. It begins with the creation of digitally connected care communities anchored by the local hospital and includes programs targeting opioids, behavioral health and women’s health. Technology, including connectivity, ADT alerts and telehealth, are an integral part of achieving success.
That’s in addition to strong growth and adding new hospitals to its network. HealtHIE Georgia has either recently added or is in the process of onboarding the following hospitals: Bacon County Hospital, Clinch Memorial Hospital, Elbert Memorial Hospital, Stephens County Hospital, Liberty Regional Medical Center and Coffee Regional Medical Center.
Since joining the RHIE in 2015, Executive Director Mark Renfro has obtained $25 million in grants to support the implementation of technology connections between hospitals, private physicians and other community care providers, and the launch of a range of programs.
“In order to manage chronic conditions, physicians need comprehensive patient information available in real time,” says Renfro. “That’s why we were the first to pilot GaHIN’s ADT alerts – patients can’t afford to wait three or four days after a hospital discharge for their doctor to follow up. Through grants, we are able to defray technology costs that would typically be higher due to lower volume in small rural markets.”