Virginia launched a technology solution using its health information exchange, ConnectVirginia, to connect all the state's emergency departments to facilitate communication and collaboration among providers, healthcare plans and clinical and care management personnel.
Dubbed Emergency Department Care Coordination (EDCC), the technology is the first of its kind to be used in the U.S.
“Near real-time, up-to-date information in an emergency department can assist health care providers in so many ways, from treating patients with chronic disease to knowing what medications to avoid prescribing to a patient with allergies,” said VA Secretary of Health and Human Resources Daniel Carey, MD, in a prepared statement. “When you have the right care and the right information in the right setting, you are able to make the best decision for the individual patient.”
EDCC will also integrate the state’s prescription drug monitoring program to provide physicians and other healthcare personnel with patients’ medication histories.
“Virginia continues to be at the forefront of health care innovation, and the ED Care Coordination Program marks an important step forward in making sure Virginians in every part of the Commonwealth have access to the highest quality of care,” said Governor Ralph S. Northam. “With this secure technology, we can provide emergency medical personnel with access to a patient’s critical medical information in a timely way, which will increase effective and efficient care, avoid duplicative tests, reduce unnecessary costs, and improve health outcomes.”
As a senior news writer for TriMed, Subrata covers cardiology, clinical innovation and healthcare business. She has a master’s degree in communication management and 12 years of experience in journalism and public relations.