The Cass County Health System has announced it recently joined hospitals and healthcare providers throughout the state as a member of the statewide health information exchange known as Nebraska Health Information Initiative, or NeHII. Steve Stark, Cass County Health System Chief Information Officer says “NeHII is an interconnected health information exchange where CCHS staff can send and receive vital patient information to authorized care-givers resulting in quicker, safer care.  Stark says the web-based system “Securely displays important medical information to clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare providers.”

Relevant patient information, such as lab results, past medical history, X-ray reports, allergies, and medication prescriptions are available in real-time to authorized physicians and clinicians.  Starks says that will reduce duplicate testing, reduce calling back and forth between providers, and improve patient outcomes.  He says it’s especially helpful in emergencies or when CCHS receives a patient from another NeHII participant hospital or sends a patient to one.

According to Dr. Harris Frankel, President of the NeHII Board of Directors, “Patient participation in NeHII is optional.” Frankel says while   they would like everyone to recognize the benefits of participation, “A patient may decide not to share their medical information and may opt-out of the exchange simply by contacting NeHII.”