WHCC Contracts
In October 2007, the WyHIO completed a survey for the Wyoming Healthcare Commission (WHCC) to provide information on existing healthcare information technology capability in Wyoming’s medical community, specific software in use, access to high speed internet connections in Wyoming, and the ability to exchange electronic healthcare information among providers in Wyoming. The WyHIO contracted with the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center at the University of Wyoming to conduct the survey, which began in early 2007. The cooperation of key stakeholders in the healthcare community was essential to help the WyHIO and the WHCC gauge the readiness of the Wyoming healthcare community to engage in healthcare information exchange.
Additionally, the WHCC approved an amendment to the contract for a Healthcare Informatin Exchange (HIE) needs assessment survey focusing on the types of information providers consider to be the most valuable in an HIE, barriers and difficulties experienced in implementing an exchange and the specific reasons for not participating in an exchange. The data collected in this step provides the type of information and specific exchange projects that would be of most value to providers, assistance required to increase participation in HIE, and where the assistance is needed the most.
This project was completed in May 2009. View the report.
Federal Communications Commission Grant Application
Wyoming was recently awarded an FCC grant to tie health care providers together is a dedicated communications network. The WyHIO participated with 12 other organizations to apply for that grant.
The pilot program will provide for the construction of state or regional broadband networks and services provided over those networks. The networks will be designed to bring the benefits of innovative telehealth and telemedicine services to those areas where the need is most acute.
Health Information Privacy and Security Project
Wyoming was one of 34 states and territories awarded in 2006 a subcontract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality through RTI International, Inc. (RTI) to create a Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration (HISPC) group that would address privacy and security policy questions affecting the interoperable exchange of electronic health information among the numerous organizations that make up the health care community. A partnership between the WyHIO and the University of Wyoming Center for Rural Health Research and Education (CRHRE) was created to accomplish the goals of the HISPC.
Following completion of the project, Wyoming requested, and was awarded a follow-on grant to create an online privacy/security resource center for Wyoming. This center, named Wyoming's Health Information Resource (WYHIR), is now available, and provides resources to help coordinate research and education to address barriers to health information exchange identified over the course of the original study. This site provides HIPAA and other security/privacy training, telehealth/telemedicine network information, electronic prescribing information, general information, and links to other educational opportunities.
To access the site, visit http://www.wyhir.org
Health Information Exchange Roadmap
The WyHIO developed a Roadmap for the desing and implementation of a statewide HIT/HIE network, based on recommendations in the WHCC and WyHIO reports and consensus developed at the HIT/HIE Conference. The purpose of this statewide HIT/HIE effort is to give providers the ability to gather and exchange electronic healthcare information as one means to improve the cost, quality, access to, and safety of healthcare. Your review and commnet on the first version of the Roadmap will be appreciated. View the Roadmap.