New name reflects connecting a network of networks in Georgia
ATLANTA - The Georgia Health Information Exchange Inc. (GHIE) announced today that it has completed its name change to the Georgia Health Information Network Inc. (GaHIN), effective immediately. The new name encompasses the robust set of health information products and services offered by “the Network.”
“We are not a health information exchange in the true sense of the term, and the name change more accurately defines our mission and vision for widespread connectivity among Georgia providers,” said Dennis White, chairman of GaHIN Inc. “The Georgia Health Information Network is exactly that…a network of established health information networks, connecting a variety of established healthcare stakeholders from around the state of Georgia and to the national network.”
The Georgia Health Information Network connects Georgia hospitals, physicians and many other clinicians by way of a comprehensive network of secure health data sources – giving authorized providers the ability to access a more complete view of their patients’ health records. GaHIN makes available its network services to providers through various authorized service area health information exchanges (SAHIEs). By connecting through a networked Service Area HIE, providers will have the ability to securely exchange clinical information with other provider participants through a single connection. Providers will also be able to take advantage of many other services offered by the network, such as bi-directional GRITS (immunization updates, queries and reporting), syndromic surveillance reporting, diagnostic and test results, referral requests, secure messaging, and more.
About the Georgia Health Information Network Inc.
The Georgia Health Information Network Inc. (GaHIN) serves with the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) and the Georgia Health Information Technology Extension Center (GA-HITEC) in a public-private collaborative to establish Georgia’s statewide health informationexchange and to connect SAHIEs, large integrated health systems, payers, wellness partners and other healthcare stakeholders. These organizations have come together to enable a statewide electronic health information network through governance, project management, policy development, business and financial planning, technical infrastructure development, marketing and stakeholder engagement.
About the Georgia Department of Community Health
Through effective planning, purchasing and oversight, the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) provides access to affordable, quality healthcare to millions of Georgians, including some of the state’s uninsured and most vulnerable populations.
DCH is responsible for Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids, ® the State Health Benefit Plan, Healthcare Facility Regulation and Health Information Technology in Georgia.
David A. Cook serves as Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Community Health.
To learn more about DCH and its dedication to A Healthy Georgia, visit www.dch.georgia.gov.
Media Contact:
Pamela A. Keene
404-656-7645
pkeene@dch.ga.gov