Union Hospital in Elkton has joined the Delaware Health Information Network.
The exchange allows for the patient’s “home” health care team to have direct access to the results of any tests or procedures conducted by the care team at Union, helping to create a more complete health record on the network..
Sharing this information across state borders helps to reduce costs, save time and improve care by reducing the number of unnecessary and duplicative tests. The system also provides a robust platform for care teams to better coordinate care plans on their shared patients.
“The seamless communication achieved through partnerships like these is key to improving care and reducing healthcare costs,” said Dr. Jan Lee, DHIN CEO. “Patients who do not receive timely post-treatment care are at an increased risk of a return visit to the hospital sooner rather than later.”
Immediate access to a patient’s medical history is invaluable, particularly in an emergency, said Kenneth Lewis, MD, JD, Union Hospital President & CEO. “Union Hospital’s collaboration with DHIN is an integral part of our ongoing commitment to provide safe, high-quality health and wellness services.”
Union Hospital is the second Maryland facility to join the DHIN, following Berlin-based Atlantic General Hospital in 2013.
Additionally, DHIN currently receives high-level data – admission, discharge and transfer summaries – for Delaware patients seen at any Maryland hospital from the Chesapeake Regional Information System for Our Patients. DHIN’s health information exchange counterpart in Maryland. The same information for hospitals in the District of Columbia is coming soon. Neighboring Pennsylvania has not yet developed a statewide network.
