Demonstrations at largest healthcare technology convention, HIMSS, highlights Guam’s technological process
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 29, 2012
The progress of Guam’s Health Information Exchange system received national attention and was recently showcased at the Department of Health and Human Services Interoperability Showcase at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society 2012 Conference. Because of the local government’s efforts in implementation, Guam was chosen by DHHS to demonstrate its Secure Messaging capabilities using the Nationwide Health Information Network Direct Project.
Chief Information Officer Ed Cruz and Guam Memorial Hospital Information Technology Administrator Vince Quichocho held live demonstrations at the convention last week. They showed how coordinated care and disaster preparedness could be improved for Guam through collaboration with the National Disaster Medical System program of the Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations under Health and Human Services.
“The demonstration really highlighted how we can use our HIE to communicate with Federal partners in addition to helping doctors on Guam communicate with each other,” said Cruz. “It was exciting to be a part of this demonstration and it showed how Guam is leading the way in healthcare technology.”
The live demonstrations highlighted the importance of data exchange between the Guam HIE and NDMS and how this system could better coordinate local disaster response efforts. The HIE is critical to communicating proper medical care for patients as well as coordination of patient evacuation to off-island medical facilities following community emergencies.
The two representatives presented Guam’s system in Las Vegas, Nevada before 37,000 participants at the 2012 HIMMS/ Office of the National Coordinator Interoperability Showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada. Guam’s representatives also met with Dr. Farzad Mostoshari, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology who provided important grant support to Guam for HIE and HIT implementation.
The Guam HIE is a secure federal network that allows doctors, medical labs, pharmacies and insurance companies on Guam to exchange medical information to improve patient care and reduce costs.
All medical professionals are invited to join the Guam HIE today.
Contact Natalie Quinata at 475-9309 or 488-6013 or Ed Cruz at hie@guam.gov for more information.
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