“One Health Record” Web Site Launched To Spur Public Involvement

A new Web site to encourage public involvement as Alabama develops a statewide electronic health record system is now available at www.onehealthrecord.alabama.gov. The new site has been established as a central point for citizens to learn about and become involved in the state’s efforts to use new technology to reduce duplication, increase efficiency, improve patient health outcomes, prevent fraud and abuse, and lower health care costs.

“By 2014, the nation’s health care system will be much different than it is today,” said Statewide Health Information Technology Coordinator Kim Davis-Allen. “To prepare for the changes that lie ahead, implementation, adoption and use of a secure health information exchange that health care providers and patients trust and value is essential.”

The State of Alabama has already taken important first steps toward the goal of creating a system that provides timely, secure access to a patient’s health information, Davis-Allen said. 

“We don’t want to do this in isolation, however,” she emphasized. “Our goal is to involve the citizens of this state at all levels to create an electronic health records system that immediately provides vital health care information while supporting patient-centered health care and continuous improvements in access, quality, outcomes and efficiency of care.” 

The new website provides details on the state’s plans for a statewide health information exchange, including the work done by the Alabama Health Information Exchange Commission and its six workgroups, links to a separate but related effort to encourage physicians and hospitals to adopt, implement or upgrade to certified information technology systems, and links to the state’s federally-supported Regional Extension Center at the University of South Alabama.