PA eHealth Partnership Authority to conduct study with eye care providers

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania eHealth Partnership Authority announced today that it will conduct a statewide study on the effectiveness of electronically sharing medical records on compliance reporting for diabetic eye exams and glaucoma tests.

The Authority is conducting the study in conjunction with primary eye care providers. The study is focused on the use of DIRECT messaging, a secure email system to send patient medical records and health information to one another.

"By sharing health information electronically, we expect ophthalmologists and optometrists to improve their compliance reporting for diabetic eye exams and glaucoma tests," said Alix Goss, PA Health Information Technology Coordinator and Program Director for the Authority. "And by using technology, patients will have better care because doctors will have information when and where they need it."

The Authority is working with OD Excellence (ODX), a Harrisburg-based organization that assists ophthalmologists and optometrists. The study is designed to track and analyze the reporting rate of referrals between optometrists and ophthalmologists.

The study is open to optometrists and ophthalmologists who currently use, or are willing to install, DIRECT messaging, and incorporate qualifying patients in the study. For more information how to join this study contact Richard Sabbara at [email protected].

About the PA eHealth Partnership Authority
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 sharing of health–related information among unaffiliated providers and organizations according to nationally recognized standards. Pennsylvania was awarded $17.1 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help establish a health information exchange.

For more information, visit the PA eHealth Partnership Authority's website at www.paehealth.com.

SOURCE Pennsylvania eHealth Partnership Authority