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Health Information Exchange

What is the HIE (Health Information Exchange)? 
The HIE (Health Information Exchange) allows your doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare providers to appropriately access and securely share your vital health information electronically—improving the speed, quality, safety and cost of patient care—with other healthcare providers who participate in the HIE.

Harris Health System is a member of the following Health Information Exchanges: 
Why is HIE important, and how will I benefit from participating? 
The HIE gives healthcare providers access to your health and medical information for continued care and helps the coordination of care among various providers. This coordination helps the healthcare team meet your needs in a more effective and timely manner. 
HIE may: 
  • Reduce the possibility of medical errors due to incomplete or inaccurate information
  • Improve appropriate treatment recommendations
  • Improve patient-physician communications, as well as communications across the continuum of your care
  • Reduce the need for you to manually pick-up and/or deliver medical records
  • Reduce orders for duplicate tests and procedures
What does the HIE mean to my provider(s)? 
The HIE gives your providers convenient access to timely information about your health to help facilitate decisions based on more comprehensive information. The HIE provides patient records to all participating care points. It saves your doctor or healthcare provider time tracking down important information about you and gives your physician any additional information to consider when developing your treatment plans. 

Are my records private and secure? 
Yes. The privacy and security of your health information is very important to Harris Health. Information is encrypted during transmission between systems, and healthcare personnel have a secure login to access your information. Policies and procedures are in place to maintain confidentiality and appropriate use of your information. 

If I participate in the HIE, is my health information available to anyone on the internet?
No. Your health information remains private and secure and is only accessible by authorized healthcare personnel.

What types of information are shared in the HIE?
Harris Health may share test results, listing of medications, allergies, practitioner names, immunizations, radiology images, problem lists, consents, advanced directives and other clinical information involved in your care. The information shared also includes patient identifiers such as name, date of birth, address and other demographic information.

Do I need to take action to participate in the HIE? 
No. Harris Health gives everyone the benefit of participating in our health information exchanges. 

Can I choose not to participate in the HIE? 
Yes. It is your choice to not have your information shared electronically through the HIE. You can choose to opt-out at registration or via email at HIE-Opt-Out@harrishealth.org​. Remember, by opting-out, your information will not be shared with your other providers through the health information exchange. This could mean a delay in your care or you having to retake a number of diagnostic tests or exams. 

Can I receive a copy of the records that my provider obtained through the HIE? 
Yes. To receive your complete Harris Health medical record, contact Harris Health’s Health Information Management Department via email at ReleaseofInformation@harrishealth.org