Team Description
What is the Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration (HISPC)?
This project is part of a national effort to learn what is needed to share patient health information electronically between health care providers, insurers, and health care agencies, and how it can be done. This process of sharing data is known as interoperable electronic health information exchange. The project focuses specifically on security and privacy issues as related to electronic health information exchange (HIE).
Why is the Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration (HISPC) important to Alaskans?
Electronic health information exchange will result in better health care at lower cost and with fewer medical errors. It will also prevent the loss of critical health records, as happened in 2005 because of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
By participating in this national initiative, Alaska specific issues, needs, concerns and recommendations related to security and privacy around health information exchange can be included in the development of national policies. Participation by Alaskans will insure that the individual needs unique to Alaska's economy, climate and geography are acknowledged and addressed.
How is this project being funded?
Alaska received $350,000 to conduct this work as part of a larger contract awarded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to Research Triangle Institute International and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices.
How will the work be done?
Participating states will hold multiple workgroups, which will be tasked with reviewing, assessing, and discussing privacy laws, security laws and business practices that affect electronic health information exchange. Group participants will identify barriers and best practices and recommend solutions as related to health information exchange.
Who will participate in the Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration (HISPC)?
Participation from key health care stakeholders will include broad Alaska representation from patients, individuals, clinicians, information technology administrators, medical records administrators, allied health professionals, employers, and payers.
All Alaskans are invited to participate in this project and share concerns and ideas regarding privacy and security of electronic health records. By participating, Alaskans can shape how they receive health care information and services in the future.
How will the information be used?
Alaska project findings will be merged with data collected from 34 other states and territories. The final result will be a national report consolidating the data collected which will be used to guide policy decisions at the state and national level related to privacy and security of interoperable electronic health records.
How to get involved
How can I find out more about this project?
Contact Rebecca Madison at 907-729-3934 or visit our website at http://www.ak-ehealth.org/
Milestones
Links to relevant web pages
(Department of Homeland Security - Coast Guard, Department of Defense, US Air Force & US Army, Indian Health Service, Veteran's Affairs)
http://www.afhcp.org/
http://www.anthc.org
http://www.premera.com
http://alaska.providence.org
http://dhss.alaska.gov