Safety Net tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2009-03-16://4 2012-03-30T12:43:11Z Movable Type 4.25 Chatham County HIE Represents GA In National Consumer Innovation Challenge tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2012://4.1678 2012-03-30T12:36:15Z 2012-03-30T12:43:11Z The Chatham County Health Information Exchange will represent Georgia in the National Consumer Innovation Challenge. The focus is on improving patient access to secure personal health information. Public Information http://www.gachd.org
With support from the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Chatham County residents will benefit from ChathamHealthLink's participation in a federal program to promote secure, patient-friendly access to important medical information. ChathamHealthLink has the capability of matching individual patient data sent from a variety of sources into a single longitudinal record for the patient.  When patients access their data through ChathamHealthLink or other trusted HIEs, they connect to a single secure source for their information rather than gathering information from a number of health care provider sources and organizing it themselves.  

"Our relationship with ChathamHealthLink began in 2007 with a DCH grant to help launch the local area HIE," said David A. Cook, DCH commissioner.  "Dr. Reynolds and her team have done an outstanding job to facilitate the secure access and exchange of patient health information in the region. Learning from this challenge initiative will help us in the on-boarding of regional and enterprise-wide HIEs as we launch Georgia's new statewide health information exchange later this year."

During the six-month challenge, ChathamHealthLink will work with DCH and the Georgia Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (GA-HITREC) to provide secure e-mail addresses for patients' to access ChathamHealthLink. As an example, this secure messaging will give patients access to their laboratory reports ordered by any participating health care provider and performed at any participating laboratory. Patients will then be able to track their lab results through a single secure record stored in ChathamHealthLink.

"We are honored to represent Georgia in this exciting initiative and to collaborate with other health information technology leaders around the country," said Paula Reynolds, MD, MPH, executive director of the CCSNPC and director of ChathamHealthLink. "We want to make health record access quick, easy, secure and understandable for patients, ultimately helping them to live healthier lives."

Click here to read more about the other participants in the challenge.

About ChathamHealthLink
ChathamHealthLink, launched in April 2010, initially linked the electronic medical records systems at J.C. Lewis Primary Health Care Center and the Emergency Department at Memorial Health University Medical Center through secure electronic portals which store patient records in a protected central database.

The project has since grown into a community-wide health information exchange for Chatham County that enables health information to follow patients regardless of where they go for health care.  As a result, patients can receive more efficient and better quality care.

For more information, visit our ChathamHealthLink page.

About the Georgia Department of Community Health
Through effective planning, purchasing and oversight, the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) provides access to affordable, quality health care to millions of Georgians, including some of the state's most vulnerable and underserved populations.

DCH is responsible for Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids,® the State Health Benefit Plan, Healthcare Facility Regulation and Health Information Technology in Georgia.

David A. Cook serves as Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Community Health. To learn more about DCH and its dedication to A Healthy Georgia, visit www.dch.georgia.gov.


]]> Creating a Georgia Health Insurance Exchange tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2011://4.1556 2011-08-24T18:13:26Z 2011-08-24T18:18:36Z A group of experts, advocates and lawmakers are looking into legislative options for creating a Georgia health insurance exchange. Public Information http://www.gachd.org
From the AJC:
"Using the health insurance exchange, consumers who don't have coverage through their employers will shop for options offered by private companies. It will also determine if someone qualifies for Medicaid, the government program that provides coverage for low-income Americans. A separate exchange would allow small business owners to shop for plans to cover workers."

Click here to read the full article
]]> August 2011 tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2011://4.1545 2011-08-08T18:18:17Z 2011-08-08T18:20:28Z This month we have updated the entire website to make certain you are aware of the most recent changes and progress. Public Information http://www.gachd.org
This month we have updated the entire website to make certain you are aware of the most recent changes and progress. The Health Options Brochure can be downloaded and printed directly from our home page. Please make sure you have the latest version, dated July 2011.

Hours, services, locations and some eligibility requirements have changed for many of our providers. Please consult the Health Care Resources section to obtain the most current information.

For more information on these and other new developments, visit Breaking News every month.
 
Paula Reynolds, MD, MPH
Executive Director
Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council
]]> OrionHealth's Rhapsody Integration Engine receives ONC Certification tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2011://4.1523 2011-07-28T22:09:29Z 2011-08-08T18:01:15Z Rhapsody Integration Engine and Rhapsody Connect have been certified as Modular Ambulatory EHR and Modular Inpatient compliant. mkwalker OrionHealth's Rhapsody Integration Engine and Rhapsody Connect have been certified as Modular Ambulatory EHR and Modular Inpatient compliant. They were independently tested by Verizon Business.

Click here for more information.

]]> Forces join to create Savannah Primary Care Medical Home Project tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2011://4.1519 2011-07-28T21:42:37Z 2011-08-08T17:58:20Z Health Care providers around Savannah and Chatham County have joined forces to create the Savannah Primary Care Medical Home Project. mkwalker Savannah Business Group, Healthy Savannah, Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council and Chatham County Health Department have joined forces to create the Savannah Primary Care Medical Home Project. The purpose of the project is to increase support and adoption of the Primary Care Medical Home model of care.

Click here for more information.

]]> Hybrid Health IT of Augusta GA is regional GA-HITREC contractor tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2011://4.1518 2011-07-28T18:51:07Z 2011-08-08T17:57:04Z Hybrid Health IT Inc. is the regional contractor for the Georgia Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (GA-HITREC). Learn more about the services that Hybrid Health IT inc. provides. mkwalker
Click here for more information.
]]> GA- HITREC is established at Morehouse School of Medicine tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2011://4.1517 2011-07-28T18:21:33Z 2011-08-08T17:55:13Z The Georgia Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (GA-HITREC) has been established at Morehouse School of Medicine. Read more about how GA-HITREC can improve health care services. mkwalker
Click here for more information.  ]]> Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald named Georgia Public Health Director tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2011://4.1516 2011-07-28T18:15:41Z 2011-08-08T17:52:21Z Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald has been named the new Director of the Division of Public Health. Dr. Fitzgerald has donated much of her life to improving public health. Learn more about how this will change the Division of Public Health. mkwalker
Click here to read more in an article from www.CarrolltonGeorgia.com.
]]> The Georgia Division of Public Health becomes an independent agency tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2011://4.1515 2011-07-28T18:07:29Z 2011-08-08T17:50:28Z Effective as of July 1, 2011 the Division of Public Health became an independent agency and is no longer a division under the Georgia Department of Community Health. mkwalker
Click here for more information.  ]]> AJC Editorial Calls for an Independent Department of Public Health. tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2011://4.1422 2011-02-07T15:31:15Z 2011-02-07T15:37:26Z The deans of public health programs at Emory University and the University of Georgia make the case for the establishment of a cabinet-level public health agency in an opinion piece in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Public Information http://www.gachd.org
From the article:
"Establishing an independent Department of Public Health with its own Cabinet-level commissioner, as the report recommends, would offer the ability to move rapidly to address both persistent and emerging health issues. By enabling the department to report directly to the governor, an independent agency would streamline communications between public health officials, government leaders and the public before and during health emergencies."

Read the entire opinion piece at ajc.com:
Georgia Needs a Cabinet-Level Public Health Agency]]> ChathamHealthLink recognized as a Health Information Exchange with a Social Conscience tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2011://4.1421 2011-02-07T15:19:34Z 2011-02-07T15:25:57Z A recent article in the Journal of Healthcare Information Management describes ChathamHealthLink as an example of where health information exchange should be headed - successfully linking the population and community health. Public Information http://www.gachd.org
The article states, "HIEs like ChathamHealthLink provide a glimpse of where health information exchange should ultimately be headed, growing beyond a limited circle of providers to include the larger universe of services linked to population and community health. The socially responsible HIE demonstrates that in spite of the fragmentation, the parochialism, and the inefficiencies that plague our healthcare system, HIE can be a force multiplier that yields a higher order of care to those who need it--meaning all of us."

Click here to read the full article.]]> The Peach Pulse - October 8 tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2010://4.1361 2010-10-11T17:36:18Z 2010-10-11T17:40:28Z The latest Peach Pulse newsletter from Georgians for a Healthy Future includes information on new medicaid figures in Georgia, federal funding for Community Health Centers, developments relating to the Affordable Care Act and much more. Public Information http://www.gachd.org
Click here to view The Peach Pulse Newsletter for October 8 ]]> Prescription Assistance in Effingham County tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2010://4.1339 2010-09-24T03:50:00Z 2010-09-24T04:14:41Z Every Wednesday afternoon, MedBank is helping needy people in Effingham qualify for prescription assistance programs. Public Information http://www.gachd.org MedBank Foundation will host weekly prescription assistance events in Effingham County, beginning Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010.

MedBank is a volunteer organization that makes certain prescriptions available to needy residents with chronic health conditions in Chatham, Effingham, and Bryan counties. The organization helps patients access prescription assistance programs through pharmaceutical companies. The programs provide 90-day supplies of medication to those who qualify.

Click here to download a flyer
 for information about what you need to bring to the event.

MedBank Location:
St. Luke Episcopal Church
155 Goshen Road
Rincon, GA
826-3332

Time & Dates:
Wednesdays, beginning September 22nd from 3-5:30 pm

]]> September 2010 tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2010://4.1336 2010-09-21T18:10:19Z 2010-09-21T18:16:00Z This month's update includes expanded hours and services for the Good Samaritan Clinic, as well as a new MedBank location. Public Information http://www.gachd.org
At the Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council, our partners are constantly looking for ways to serve you better with added services and extended hours as opportunities become available. Below you will see a summary of the most recent changes and progress:

Good Samaritan Clinic has expanded hours and services:

  • A new gynecology (women's health) clinic is now open. The hours are 8:30am to 11am on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month.
  • New patient assessments can now be scheduled on Monday afternoons (1pm to 4pm) in addition to the existing evening clinics (which are every Wednesday and the 3rd and 4th Tuesday of each month).
  • The central phone number of the clinic is 912-964-4326. Patients should select the appointment option when prompted.

MedBank has a new location where you can get assistance:

St. Luke Episcopal Church, 155 Goshen Road, Rincon, GA
Every Wednesday beginning September 22nd
3 pm-5:30pm
Call 826-3332 for more information

MedBank helps patients access drug manufacturer's Patient Assistance Programs to obtain prescription medications free-of-charge. They fill out and send applications for each medication a patient needs to the pharmaceutical companies. The physician receives a 90-day supply of medications from the pharmaceutical companies and provides it to the patient.  

For more information on these and other new developments, visit Breaking News every month.

Paula Reynolds, MD, MPH
Executive Director
Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council ]]> July 2010 tag:www.chathamsafetynet.org,2010://4.830 2010-07-08T17:19:49Z 2010-07-08T17:24:17Z We've made several updates to our website in recent weeks, including a new section to feature ChathamHealthLink, CCSNPC's Health Information Exchange. We've also added an Awards page, as well as updated our Grants page. Public Information http://www.gachd.org
At the Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council, our partners are constantly looking for ways to serve you better with added services and extended hours as opportunities become available.  

Below you will see a summary of the most recent changes and progress:

In June 2010, we reviewed and updated our website.  

  • ChathamHealthLink, CCSNPC's Health Information Exchange is now featured.  Please visit this section often for updates on patient and provider information and news.
  • We have added a new section on Awards.
  • By popular demand, we have added a link to our Health Options brochure on the home page. It is still accessible throughout the site, but is now conveniently located to allow quick access when the information is needed.
  • Our Grants section has been updated.
For more information on these and other new developments, visit Breaking News every month.

Paula Reynolds, MD, MPH
Executive Director
Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council
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