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In The News

HealtheLink improves digital reporting access

Jan-13-2012 — HealtheLink has enhanced its network to allow radiologists and healthcare providers better access to digital reports.

Daniel E. Porreca: Technology allows patients to share data with doctors

Jan-12-2012 — There is no doubt that health information technology is beginning to enhance the quality of care in our region. Health IT is improving the patient’s care and experience in the system, allowing doctors to make better decisions because they have more relevant information on their patients. Health IT is also contributing to lowering the costs of treating diseases such as diabetes.

A Breakthrough in Patient Care

Jan-04-2012 — Think fast: Do you remember all the tests you’ve had done in the past three years, and their results? Your medication changes? Your doctor and hospital visits? If you’ve suffered an illness or health crisis recently, there are likely far too many pieces of such information to keep track. HEALTHeLINK, a new advance in medical information technology — developed right here in Western New York — can help.

Analytics: Moving health care forward

Oct-28-2011 — Hospital administrators are leading the use of health care analytics for a range of functions in provider settings. Driving their increased use are a few key clinical and business factors: the desire to meet meaningful use requirements, create quality reports, and better capture revenue, according to the results of SearchHealthIT.com's business intelligence survey.

WGRZ The Healthy Zone

Oct-17-2011 — Janet Snyder interviews Daniel Porreca, the executive Director of HEALTHeLINK and Dr. Bonnie Sunday, a family physician in Orchard Park. They discuss the benefit of medical information being available electronically that is done in a safe way.

Health initiative focuses on telemonitoring

Sep-09-2011 — HealtheLink is partnering with three local groups to begin a new diabetes telemonitoring pilot program.

Telemonitoring Pilot Attacks Diabetes

Sep-08-2011 — As part of a larger project to reduce the burden of diabetes on patients in western New York, Buffalo-based health information exchange HealtheLink has launched a pilot to test the effect of telemonitoring on diabetics' health. A premise of the 18-month pilot is that telemonitoring will pay for itself by reducing the enrolled patients' emergency room and doctor visits.

Dental practice joins HealtheLink

Aug-31-2011 — HealtheLink has added the first dental practice to its electronic clinical information exchange.

HEALTHeLINK to pilot diabetes telemonitoring

Aug-31-2011 — One hundred patients with diabetes have signed up for a telemonitoring pilot spearheaded by HEALTHeLINK, the regional health information organization (RHIO) serving Western New York State. The nonprofit’s innovative approach to telemonitoring could serve as a model for the rest of the nation, according to Todd Norris, Western New York Beacon Project Director.

Springville Pediatrics & Adult Care joins HEALTHeLINK

Jun-17-2011 — Recently, HEALTHeLINK announced that Springville Pediatrics and Adult Care joined Western New York’s clinical information exchange.

Cable 8 Medical Update - HEALTH-e-LINK

Apr-07-2011 — In their April 6th Medical Update, Cable 8's Jade Boice takes a look at HEALTH-e-LINK and how it's helping both doctors and patients.

Royal Society of Medicine(London) Reports

Mar-31-2011 — This manuscript, published in January 2011 in the Royal Society of Medicine Reports, includes contributions from HEALTHeLINK's Dan Porreca, Arvela R. Heider, and Todd Norris.

How Safe Are Your Electronic Medical Records?

Mar-22-2011 — Last week 2 On Your Side reported that two insurance workers were fired for looking through former Buffalo Sabres' star Rick Martin's medical records. Reporter Josh Boose went to see just how safe your records are.

Recognizing Healthy Employers

Mar-07-2011 — A high tech effort to improve medical care is catching on, especially in the Southern Tier. A report in this week's Business First shows how 25,000 Chautauqua County residents have signed up with HealtheLink in the past year.

HealtheLink effort gains momentum in Southern Tier

Mar-04-2011 — HealtheLink is hoping its success in the Southern Tier will be replicated throughout the region as it works to connect physicians to important patient medical information.

Buffalo News On the Record

Feb-23-2011 — HEALTHeLINK, Western New York’s clinical information exchange, is one of five exchanges featured in a recent CMIO article titled “Five HIEs (Health Information Exchanges) to watch.” CMIO is a brand of TriMed Media Group, a publishing company that focuses on health care business and technology.

HEALTHeLINK marks one year anniversary of partnering with WCA

Feb-18-2011 — It’s been one year since WCA Hospital began participating in HEALTHeLINK, Western New York’s clinical information exchange, and to date 25,000 Chautauqua County residents have recognized the importance of giving their physicians access to their medical information electronically at the point of care by signing a consent form. In addition 12 area physician practices are also currently participating in HEALTHeLINK.

Five HIEs to Watch

Feb-03-2011 — What can Inland Northwest Health Services, Norman Regional Health System, MedVirginia, HEALTHeLINK and Quality Health Network teach other health information exchanges—and possibly your organization—about sustainability, integration, practice management and EMR adoption? Read on to discover what makes these five regional HIEs worth watching.

Technology links medical community

Jan-28-2011 — One of the region’s largest physician network groups has taken the next step in electronic health records by allowing exchange of information among its members using different technology systems.

Health Information Technology Moving Ahead in Region

Jan-26-2011 — HEALTHeLINK, the Western New York Clinical Information Exchange, has been awarded a $10 million "sole-source" grant from the state Department of Health.

Beacon Community Program: Improving Health Through Health Technology

Jan-21-2011 — Aaron McKethan, Craig Brammer, and Tom Tsang from the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC), and the Beacon Communities discuss the challenges of America's current health care system and how it can be improved through health information technology.

Western New York Beacon Community: Improving Health Through Health Technology

Jan-21-2011 — Dan Porreca discusses how the Western New York Beacon Community will expand the Western New York network, close gaps in service, and improve health outcomes for patients with diabetes.

City Rotarians Hear From Director of HEALTHeLINK

Jan-20-2011 — During the month of January, local Rotarians are welcoming health care field speakers to their weekly monthly luncheon meeting at the Robert Jackson Center.

Data-Driven Diabetes Care Gets Smart

Dec-13-2010 — Technology fro treating and managing diabetes is progressing rabidly these days. Just a sample of some high-tech advancements: iPhone applications for monitoring glucose readings, implantable RFID chip sensors, and even a "robotic pancreas" that could regulate blood glucose levels.

Medical Records Group Gets Grant to Organize Electronic System

Dec-07-2010 — HEALTHeLINK has received a $10 million state grant to work with the Health Department to organzie an electronice system in New York for doctors and public health officials to track such measures as child health immunization, newborn screening and cancer.

$10M Awarded to HEALTHeLINK

Dec-06-2010 — HEALTHeLINK will develop a new clinical data exchange focusing on child health and chronic disease with a new $10 million state grant.

Hires, Promotions and honors

Dec-05-2010 — HEALTHeLINK, a Western New York's clinical information exchange, appointed Toff Norris project director, responsible for managing the implementation of the Beacon Community Cooperative Agreement Program.

Sustainability of Funding Remains Common Across the Sector

Oct-01-2010 — As the healthcare industry moves toward meeting the meaningful use requirements around clinical data exchange, different regions and states are approaching health information exchange (HIE) very differently.

Medical Efficiency Gets a Boost

Sep-07-2010 — Welcome recognition of the unprecedented collaboration among the region's hospital systems, physicians and other institutions has come in the form of a $16.1 million federal grant that will promote the use of electronic health records and other advanced cost-cutting technology.

Using Technology to Fight Diabetes in WNY

Aug-31-2010 — Medical experts are harnessing health information technology to try to figh the high rate of diabetes in Western New York.

Health Information Will Remain Private

Aug-19-2010 — A recent article annouced the first independent radiology practice in the region to participate in HEALTHeLINK, the Western New York clinical information exchange.

Windsong Buffalo News

Aug-17-2010 — HEALTHeLINK has added Windsong Radiology group to its growing list of Data Sources.

Switching to Electronic Medical Records

Aug-03-2010 — The shift toward electronic medical records is taking root, a change that should benefit doctors and patients alike.

Two Area Medical Practices Get Aid to Install Electronic Record Systems

Jul-23-2010 — Two family medical practices in the Niagara Falls area are the first in Niagara County to receive money from a local agency backed by health insurers to install electronic medical record systems to replace the reams of patient records that now are written on paper.

Doctors Slow to Adopt Electronic Presciptions

Jul-19-2010 — Despite a push by insurers and the federal government toward increased use of electronic medical records, only about one-quarter of physicians Update have begun using e-prescribing systems with their patients.

Report Shows Local Increase in Elctronic Presciptions

Jul-19-2010 — A new report shows a significant increase in the last two years in the number of medications in upstate New York that are prescibed electronically instead instead of on paper.

HEALTHeLINK gives first grant for e-records

Jun-21-2010 — HEALTHeLINK doled out its first dollars to help local doctors convert to electronic medical reocrds, allocating $25,000 in direct-funding support to Limestone Primary Care Physicians in Amherst.

Hospital CEOs pushing interest in HEALTHeLINK

Jun-03-2010 — The chief executives of the region's hospital systems and health plans Wednesday launched a drive to increase participation in HEALTHeLINK, a regional electronic network that links patients, doctors and insurers so they can share medical records.

Local Health Industry Leaders Sign up to HEALTHeLINK

Jun-03-2010 — A major push is underway across the Buffalo Niagara region to secure 10-thousand patients to sign consent forms this month for HEALTHeLINK.

State Grant

May-16-2010 — Aspire Receives $50,000 Toward New Record System

On the Record

May-15-2010 — Hires/Promotions/Honors

HealthIDNews Podcast concerning 2FA

May-11-2010 — HEALTHeLINK Executive Director Dan Porreca discusses two factor authenication process, and security of Personal Health Information, with HealthIDNews

$16.1M allocated for WNY telemed

May-05-2010 — A Western New York collaborative has received $16.1 million in federal stimulus funding to advance the implementation of electronic health records and telemedicine for the benefit of patients with diabetes and other chronic conditions.

WNY Awarded Grant for Electronic Medical Records

May-05-2010 — CHEEKTOWAGA, NY-A coalition of area hospitals know as "HEALTHeLINK" is one of the 15 out of 130 applicants chosen for multi-million grant to implement electronic health records reforms.

WNY to lead with health info technology

May-05-2010 — BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - RELEASE: Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that Western New York's own HEALTHeLINK program was selected as one of 15 communities out of 130 applicants nationwide to serve as pilot communities for eventual wide-scale use of health information technology.

HEALTHeLINK cashes in on federal stimulus money

May-05-2010 — The Western New York health care community has won a multi-million dollar federal stimulus grant that will increase the use of electronic records.

$16 million grant makes WNY diabetes 'Beacon'

May-05-2010 — WASHINGTON - A $16.1 million federal economic-stimulus grant will mean an unprecedented level of preventive care for 60,000 diabetes patients in Western New York, as medical providers and insurers collaborate to use technology to keep patients on top of their treatment.

WNY coalition gets $16.1 million medical-records grant

May-05-2010 — WASHINTON-A coalition of Western New York hospitals and insurers today won a $16.1 million federal stimulus grant aimed at boosting the use of electronic medical records in the region.

Mt. St. Mary's, Memorial Medical Center join HEALTHeLINK

Apr-17-2010 — Judith Maness says the idea that Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center are at odds is simply not true.

Memorial, St. Mary's Get 'Healthe'

Apr-13-2010 — MEDICINE: Become members of clinical medical information sharing network.

Niagara County sites join HEALTHeLINK

Apr-12-2010 — NIAGARA FALLS - The two hospitals in western Niagara County annouced Monday that they are joining the regional computer system for sharing patient health records.

Spreading the Word About Electronic Health Info System

Feb-19-2010 — HEALTHeLINK launched an advertising campaign to increase awareness about the benefits of allowing physicians to securly access patients' health information electronically.

WCA Hospital Joins HEALTHeLINK Patient Information Sharing System

Feb-18-2010 — Imagine that you're away from home on a business trip. As you're walking out of the convention center, you trip over the curb and falls, striking your head and losing consciousness.

Jamestown hospital taps HEALTHeLINK

Feb-18-2010 — The HEALTHeLINK electronic health care system has expanded into the Southern Tier with the addition of WCA Hospital.

Health Insurers Brace for Big Changes in Health Care Reform

Jan-31-2010 — As health insurers prepare for federal reforms that will likely be the biggest reshaping of the industry in decade's, Western New York's three carriers have already taken steps to change, individually and collectively.

Time For e-Records Is Now, But It Isn't Easy

Sep-24-2009 — When patients visit an emergency room, they're strangers to the doctors who treat them. There is no way to quickly retrieve key information from their medical records about medication they take, previous tests, X-rays or allergies. And when patients return to their regular doctors, there is no quick way for the doctors to check what happened in the hospital. Until now.

Doctors Pursue Electronic Records

Aug-28-2009 — A collaborative of area physician groups is beginning to implement a $1 million grant to bring together more than 400 doctors through an electronic health record (EHR) system.

HEALTHeLINK™ Database Gets More Backing

Aug-23-2009 — Imagine being taken to an emergency room at a hospital in Buffalo, yet the doctors on duty are able to call up the medical records your personal physician has on file. That’s the ultimate goal of the push to create a nationwide system of keeping medical records in an electronic system that can be accessed whenever — and wherever — they’re needed.

Local Organization Taking Healthcare High-Tech

Aug-12-2009 — It can be a challenge to get Lab and X-Ray results, even patient history, from one physician to another. That hassle could be a thing of the past as HEALTHeLINK™ is catching on across WNY.

WNYers Encouraged To Get Involved In HEALTHeLINK™

Jul-16-2009 — Doctors across Western New York now have the chance to offer their patients a whole new level of care, thanks to HEALTHeLINK™.

Area’s Health Insurers Back Electronic Medical Records

Jun-29-2009 — Western New York’s three health insurers have asked the region’s electronic clinical information exchange to lead an effort at driving more adoption of electronic medical records by area physicians.

Doctors Turn To Electronic Records

Jun-05-2009 — Physician groups are moving forward with electronic medical records systems and online capabilities – helped along by state and federal funding for health information technology (HIT) reform efforts.

Senate Passes Economic Stimulus Package

Feb-10-2009 — The Senate has passed it's version of an economic stimulus package. The new legislation might impact your wallet and improve the quality of health care you receive.

Western NY Launches Patient Record Exchange (AP)

Jan-23-2009 — Doctors in western New York have a new, electronic way to access patient records with the hope of reducing medical errors and avoiding costly duplicative tests.

New Database Links Health Records

Jan-22-2009 — President Barack Obama says one of the goals of his administration is to bring health care into the 21st century when it comes to patient health records. The new digital age is already underway in western New York.

Digital Exchange of Health Records Possible with HEALTHeLINK™

Jan-22-2009 — Imagine that your physician is in Buffalo, but you are having a medical crisis in Niagara Falls. Wouldn’t you like to have the medical professionals treating you in Niagara Falls to have instantaneous access to your medical records?

Doctors Group Links Electronically

Jan-15-2009 — A group of more than 450 area physicians has signed on to participate in a regionwide health information exchange.