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BALTIMORE, MD (February 12, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley and the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) today applauded the efforts of Community Health Integrated Partnership, Inc. (CHIP), LifeBridge Health and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) to advance the Governor’s goal of creating a statewide electronic health information exchange.  The secure, reliable exchange of patient information among hospitals, physicians, pharmacies, patients and others is recognized as a critical tool in improving health care quality and safety.

"Better utilization of health information technology is essential to making Maryland a leader in providing safe, high-quality and cost-efficient care," said Governor O'Malley.  "Bringing together diverse organizations such as CHIP, LifeBridge Health and CareFirst is just the type of effort that's needed to put technology to work improving health care for Marylanders."

Governor O'Malley has asked the MHCC to move forward as quickly as possible to develop an electronic health information exchange that allows patients and providers to share vital information in real-time.  This will enable comprehensive health information about the patient to be available at the time and place of care.  "Better information empowers both patients and providers, and promotes evidence-based care," said Governor O'Malley.

Marilyn Moon, Ph.D., Chair of the MHCC said, "The Maryland Health Care Commission is pleased that CareFirst is providing such significant support for these important health information technology programs.  We need these kinds of forward-thinking, patient-minded initiatives."  Electronic health information exchange promises to bring vital clinical information to the point-of-care, helping to improve the safety and quality of health care while decreasing overall health care costs.  The delivery and management of health care extends beyond the walls of a single provider.  As a result, health information is located across multiple provider settings where paper and electronic patient information is stored in information silos.  Today, information sharing is largely through facsimile or paper records.  "Providing consumers with private and secure access to their medical information can help build trust and improve care," said Dr. Moon.

CareFirst has committed approximately $967,000 toward a $3.2 million CHIP initiative to develop and build an electronic health record system that will capture a wide variety of operational data from participating health centers and comprehensive patient care information.  Community health centers across the state are participating in the program and the first two installations of the system are expected in February, 2008.  Ultimately, the system could be linked to a citizen-centric health information exchange in Maryland.

CHIP CEO Salliann Alborn explained, "CHIP's vision is to capture the broad spectrum of data within our health centers' operational and clinical systems in our continuing efforts to improve the effectiveness of each patient visit, as well as help our patients achieve better health outcomes."

LifeBridge Health will receive $550,000 from CareFirst toward an $800,000 project to electronically link consumers and health care providers.  LifeBridge Health already has invested in electronic medical records and clinical decision support tools to improve patient care at Sinai Hospital and Northwest Hospital Center and among its 150 employed physicians and health care providers.  The next phase of LifeBridge Health's effort will include a focus on consumers.

"The final step in realizing the full power of clinical information technology is to link consumers with their physicians and other health care providers," said Karen Barker, Vice President and Chief Information Officer for LifeBridge Health.  "This project will give patients access to their health information and allow them to share, at their discretion, that information with non-LifeBridge Health providers."

The LifeBridge Health effort is designed to demonstrate the feasibility and value of such technology linkages among unaligned health care entities using different technology platforms.  For example, St. Agnes Hospital in Southwest Baltimore is joining the effort as an "unaligned" program participant.

CareFirst's support for these health information technology efforts is part of the company's CareFirst Commitment initiative, designed to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its service areas. 

Chet Burrell, CareFirst President and CEO, said, "CareFirst enthusiastically supports the Governor's and MHCC’s efforts to more effectively utilize technology in the delivery of health care.  Our contributions to LifeBridge Health and Community Health are part of our larger efforts to improve the quality of health care in Maryland for our members and all citizens of the state." 

Community Health Integrated Partnership is a Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) sponsored Health Center Controlled Network, founded in 1997.  The HRSA is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services umbrella.  CHIP is part of an HRSA initiative to increase the adoption of electronic health records in the U.S. 

As one of Maryland's largest health systems, LifeBridge Health -- which in addition to Sinai Hospital and Northwest Hospital Center also includes Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital and Jewish Convalescent and Nursing Home and its physicians -- provides medical and wellness services to residents of northwest Baltimore City and County.

In its 71st year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to more than 3.2 million individuals and groups in Maryland, Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. 

The MHCC is an independent state regulatory agency whose mission is to plan for health system needs, promote informed decision-making, increase accountability, and improve access in a rapidly changing health care environment by providing timely and accurate information on availability, costs, and quality of services to policy makers, purchasers, providers and the public.  The MHCC's vision for Maryland is to ensure that informed consumers hold the health care system accountable and have access to affordable and appropriate health care services through programs that serve as models for the nation.

Contacts:

LifeBridge Health, Inc.:  Jennifer Gelman, 410-601-5529

Community Health Integrated Partnership, Inc.: Salliann Alborn, 443-557-0258

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield: Kevin Kane, 410-998-5822

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