Mt Ascutney Hospital connects to Vermont's health information network

Vermont Information Technology Leaders, Inc has announced that Mt Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor is now connected to the state’s health information network. With this connection, the hospital will soon have the capability to securely and electronically share clinical information among a patient’s other treating health care providers, with the goal of improving the quality of care delivery, and enhancing patient safety and outcomes.
‘The recent interface of patient and lab data through VITL is an important milestone on the road to sharing patient data among providers throughout the state,’said Paul Calandrella, chief operating officer at Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center. ‘As with most organizations, our patients may receive care from any number of providers throughout the region, with each maintaining its own records. As hospitals increase their ability to share clinical information in a secure manner, they will be able to improve the quality of care and improve patient safety.’
Managed by VITL, the statewide health information network fulfills a critical component of Vermont’s health care reform efforts - to build and maintain electronic health information systems. Through VITL, other health care organizations with patients receiving care at the connected hospitals can receive data directly into their electronic health records systems. This ensures the data is always available for providers to use, and can help improve the quality of care, as providers will have faster access to more complete information. Almost all Vermont hospitals are currently participating in the health information network and work continues to connect the remaining facilities.
‘Hospitals generate a large volume of clinical information that is vitally important to providers from other health care organizations, so connecting all of Vermont’s hospitals is a significant component in building a robust and efficient health information network,’ said John K. Evans, president and CEO of VITL. ‘The more up-to-date clinical information available to treating providers, the more value there will be to the patient through improved quality care.’