SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Regional West Health Services recently joined hospitals and healthcare providers throughout the state as a member of the new statewide health information exchange known as Nebraska Health Information Initiative, or “NeHII” (pronounced knee-high).

NeHII is a web-based health information exchange sponsored by Nebraska physicians, hospitals and clinics, and health insurance companies. It provides a system to electronically display personal health and medical information securely between doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers when it is needed for patient care.

Regional West Physicians Clinic’s independent laboratory and Regional West Medical Center Lab took the first steps in implementing the electronic health information exchange system. Through NeHII, physicians working with the Regional West Physicians Clinic have secure access to share and exchange clinical patient information and medical history electronically, if necessary, with other hospitals and healthcare providers.

Once NeHII is fully implemented, it will provide a comprehensive view of patient history which will be especially helpful in emergencies or in the event that a Regional West patient receives care from a provider or hospital in another part of the state.

“We have been working on this system for a number of years and are pleased to see it reach the implementation stage,” said Todd Sorensen, MD, MS, President and CEO of Regional West Health Services. “To have quick access to a patient’s comprehensive health record, particularly in an emergency, will be helpful to health care providers and beneficial to patients.”

Dr. Harris Frankel, president of the NeHII board of directors, said he welcomes Regional West to the family of NeHII participants.

“We are lucky to have the leadership of Todd Sorensen, MD, MS, and Lisa Bewley, MSN, CPNP, paving the way for health information exchange in western Nebraska. Physicians and other providers in western Nebraska will soon realize the benefit of being able to access information at the point of care to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of care for their patients.”

Patient participation in NeHII is optional. While NeHII would like everyone to recognize the benefits of participation, a patient may decide not to share their medical information and may opt-out by contacting NeHII.

A brochure explaining NeHII is available in English and Spanish and is being given to every patient who receives treatment from Regional West Medical Center or Physicians Clinic.

For additional information about NeHII, please contact the NeHII Help Desk at 1.866.978.1799, or visit www.nehii.org.

Through this partnership with NeHII, both Regional West Medical Center and Regional West Physicians Clinic will meet certain requirements of the new health care laws.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, Regional West offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska.

About NeHII

As an early adopter and national leader for Health Information Exchange, NeHII, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization has functioned as a public-private collaborative that currently reaches nearly 85 percent of lives in Nebraska and a substantial number of individuals in Nebraska’s six border states. NeHII’s vision is to be a leader in the secure exchange of health information, enabling a healthier Nebraska. For additional information, contact Deb Bass, Executive Director, NeHII, Inc., 1-866-978-1799, dbass@bass-inc.com.