Massachusetts' statewide health information exchange, HIway, is launching a new "pull" functionality that will enable providers to quickly retrieve patient information from participating organizations., according to a report in the Boston Business Journal.
Starting in 2012, providers connected to the HIE could "push" patient records, or actively send them electronically to another participating organization. Now, providers have the ability to pull a patient's information from another organization, which will give providers quick access to all available information in an emergency situation, according to the report.
Governor Deval Patrick (D) will participate in a simulation during today's launch to show the benefits of the new functionality, according to the report. The simulation will feature a patient with suspected neurological damage who comes to Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for treatment. Using the HIE, physicians in the simulation will be able to retrieve information from other hospitals revealing the patient is allergic to shellfish and will prevent him from receiving a CT scan with a contrast agent that is potentially fatal to those with a shellfish allergy.
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