Media Campaign Touts Benefits of Electronic Health Information Exchange

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania eHealth Partnership Authority, which will soon launch the network that enables the secure exchange of electronic health information (eHIE) in Pennsylvania, is running a statewide media campaign through Feb. 7 to help the public better understand the benefits of eHIE.

A statewide consumer survey conducted last year by the Authority showed that Pennsylvanians placed a high value on the benefits that come from the secure use of electronic health records. But the survey also showed that they were not aware of eHIE in their region.

"The consumer survey gave us the direction we needed to develop a campaign strategy to help patients and consumers better understand that the secure eHIE is 'just around the corner,'" said Alix Goss, executive director of the Authority.  

"Healthcare consumers and their providers in Pennsylvania soon will have information when and where they need it," Goss said. "eHIE will result in better health outcomes, improved care and lower costs."

The statewide campaign features a 30-second TV and radio spot that is airing in six markets. Consumers who see or hear the spot can go to the Authority's website to learn more and take a short survey on whether it was useful or not.

Having electronic access to secure patient health records not only saves time and costs for providers, but more importantly, it can save lives. As noted in Healthy Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth's plan to improve the health status of Pennsylvanians, the Authority is tasked with facilitating the statewide electronic sharing of health records among health care providers and ensuring patient confidentiality of records.

The PA eHealth Partnership Authority is an independent state agency that is working to meet federal requirements for eHIE in Pennsylvania. eHIE is the electronic movement of health-related information among unaffiliated organizations, according to nationally recognized standards. For more information, visit the PA eHealth Partnership Authority's website at www.paehealth.com.  

SOURCE Pennsylvania eHealth Partnership Authority