HMSA joining exchange to share patients’ data

Hawaii Medical Service Association has agreed to share patient data with health-care providers through the Hawaii Health Information Exchange, a nonprofit created to help link electronic medical records among providers.

HMSA, the state’s dominant health insurer, has more than 700,000 members.

The agreement allows the insurer to use technological infrastructure being developed by the Hawaii Health Information Exchange to securely transfer patient lab test results to its network of providers.

Electronic access to patients’ lab tests makes vital health information available at the point of care for physicians and other providers, allowing them to make critical medical decision, the Health Information Exchange said. In addition to proper diagnoses, it reduces delays in treatment and eliminates redundant testing.

The Queen’s Medical Center, Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii and Diagnostic Laboratory Services Inc. joined the information exchange earlier this year.

Other health providers already participating include Castle Medical Center, Hawaii Pacific Health (Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Pali Momi Medical Center, Straub Clinic & Hospital and Wilcox Health) and Hawaii Health Systems Corp.’s East Hawaii region (Hilo Medical Center, Hale Hoola Hamakua and Kau Hospital).