The new implementation is the latest step in Connie’s long‑standing, collaborative strategy to improve the accuracy, completeness and trustworthiness of patient data across Connecticut
WEST HARTFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Connie, Connecticut’s state-designated Health Information Exchange (HIE), today announced the implementation of Clinical Architecture’s PIQXL Gateway to help healthcare organizations across Connecticut assess and strengthen the quality of shared patient data. The implementation is backed by a grant from the Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) and will help Connie better support state-designated standards for collecting and using race, ethnicity and language (REL) data.
In partnership with CT Health, Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy (OHS) developed standards for REL data to support the State’s ability to monitor inequities and deploy targeted interventions that support care for all communities. Providers with an electronic health record (EHR) connected to Connie must share self-reported demographic data—including race, ethnicity, primary language, and disability and insurance status—with Connie when that information is voluntarily provided by patients. PIQXL will support Connie as it works with providers to monitor, assess and strengthen the quality of this type of shared patient data.
“Improving the quality and use of race, ethnicity and language data has been a long-standing priority for the Connecticut Health Foundation. We can’t address what we don’t measure,” said Tiffany Donelson, president and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation. “Our grant to Connie will support the infrastructure needed to ensure this data is collected and shared responsibly. We look forward to seeing how REL data can drive more informed decisions and meaningful improvements in health equity across Connecticut.”
Sumit Sajnani, the OHS Health Information Technology Officer leading Connecticut initiatives added, “Accurate REL data is critical to identifying disparities and closing gaps in access to care through informed health policy and decision-making. While Connie will spearhead this work by implementing PIQXL, improving data quality is a shared responsibility across the healthcare ecosystem and will require ongoing attention and collaboration.”
The PIQXL implementation is the latest step in Connie’s ongoing investment in monitoring the quality of data being shared through the exchange. For example, over the past year, Connie has partnered with healthcare providers, like Nuvance Health, to improve the accuracy and usability of discharge information. Through Connie’s work, thousands more patient records each week now include actionable details on hospitalizations and discharges, improving visibility, outreach and follow-up. Some hospitals in the Nuvance system are now achieving a 95-98% quality score for discharge location data.
“Connie monitors data trends across our network and we employ a very collaborative approach to improving data quality. Our data governance committee—made up of our network participants—helps us identify which improvements would have the biggest impact on our community,” says Jenn Searls, Executive Director of Connie. “In that spirit, we’re grateful for the investment from the Connecticut Health Foundation so we can do our part to advance REL data quality improvements and provide participants with greater confidence in the information they rely on for care delivery and coordination.”
To learn more about how Connie is advancing data quality for Connecticut, visit www.conniect.org/post/better-data-makes-better-patient-care-possible-in-connecticut
About Connie:
Connie is Connecticut’s state-designated Health Information Exchange. Connie securely connects healthcare providers, payers, and public health entities across the state to improve patient care, reduce costs, and support better health outcomes. By enabling timely, secure, and efficient sharing of health information, Connie strengthens care coordination and empowers providers with the information they need to deliver high-quality care. www.conniect.org
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