AUSTIN, Texas, April 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Texas Health Services Authority (THSA) today announced that two of the state's largest local health information networks took an important step in leveraging technology to connect patients, doctors and hospitals through Greater Houston Healthconnect (HEALTHCONNECT) and Integrated Care Collaboration (ICC) of Austin. This connection, which is made possible by THSA's state-level shared services, also known as "HIETexas," enables tens of thousands of health care providers from different parts of the state to quickly and securely share patient health data and critical medical information that can save lives.

Ensuring that patient preferences are honored is a key feature of shared service agreements that are designed to maintain local control of data management. Connecting through a single interface, HIETexas, is a cost-effective and efficient means of providing information under a single legal framework that ensures trust and interoperability, and eliminates the local expense of designing separate interfaces. In addition to connectivity, this collaboration will provide HEALTHCONNECT and ICC with a patient consent management service that determines if a patient has expressed consent to access such information.

The demand for electronic transfer of health information among providers is growing nationwide along with efforts to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of health care delivery. A recent study in New York showed that use of such technology reduced hospital readmissions by 30 percent. 

"Texas continues to be a national leader in developing and implementing health information technology and secure sharing of patients' health information," said Texas Governor Rick Perry, who initiated the program and establishment of THSA during his administration. "The secure, electronic transfer of health information between authorized health care providers will assist in reducing medical errors and preventing health care fraud."

To view the full announcement, please visit: http://bit.ly/1rlhdAC

SOURCE Texas Health Services Authority