Botsford Leads Four More Hospitals To Join Michigan Health Connect
FARMINGTON HILLS -- Botsford Hospital Monday became the latest medical center in Metro Detroit to sign on with Michigan Health Connect, which provides the secure, efficient electronic transfer of health records among member providers across the state.
Other new members of Michigan Health Connect are three hospitals located across southern Lower Michigan, bringing to 54 the total number of hospitals statewide using Michigan's largest health information exchange.
"By joining Michigan Health Connect, Botsford Hospital can provide physicians treating the 17,000 inpatients and 60,000 emergency patients we see each year with the most complete medical record possible," said Dr. Paul E. LaCasse, president and CEO of Botsford Health Care. "In addition, the thousands of patients treated by the more than 600 physicians affiliated with Botsford will also benefit from the enhanced care this system provides."
Grand Rapids-based Michigan Health Connect is leading the charge in Michigan to "wire" health care providers across the country, as a part of federal and state efforts to improve patient care and hold down spiraling costs. Other Metro Detroit MHC members include Ascension Health, Beaumont Health System, McLaren Health Care and Trinity Health, bringing to 18 the number of hospitals using Michigan Health Connect in this area.
In addition to Botsford, the three other new MHC members are Port Huron Hospital, Hillsdale Community Health Center and Three Rivers Health.
"The secure exchange of medical records ensures quality and cost control while improving the efficiency of health care providers across the state," said Doug Dietzman, MHC executive director. "As members of Michigan Health Connect, community hospitals can offer their patients and physicians the same quantity and quality of medical information as the state's largest hospitals."
Dietzman noted that the addition of each new MHC member enhances the value for all.
"The number and geographic diversity of hospitals joining Michigan Health Connect reflect this organization's momentum in the expanding market for health information exchange and our increasing value to members," Dietzman sadi.
Home health care provider Ensure Care, of Kalamazoo, also recently joined MHC. Home care is a rapidly growing industry and the electronic exchange of records gives medical professionals treating patients in home settings the ability to connect with other providers caring for home-bound patients.
Michigan Health Connect is the largest provider of health information exchange in Michigan, serving 54 hospitals, 1,027 medical offices and more than 3,500 individual providers statewide. The nationally recognized, community-based nonprofit works to enhance patient care by improving access to timely, secure clinical information while streamlining administrative functions for providers. For more information see www.MichiganHealthConnect.
Botsford Hospital a multi-specialty 330-bed hospital and verified trauma center in Farmington Hills. The campus houses an imaging center and a comprehensive care cancer center. Botsford Hospital is also home to an extensive medical education program and is part of Michigan State University's statewide campus system. Botsford each year cares for about 17,000 inpatients and more than 60,000 emergency and trauma patients with a team of 2,500 employees, 300 volunteers and more than 600 physicians. A not-for-profit hospital, Botsford provided almost $15.2 million in community benefit during its 2010 fiscal year. See www.botsford.org.
