Ridley-Thomas: County Must Move Fast to Get Stimulus Funds for Health Info Technology

 

  NEWS

                               Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas

                                                                L.A. County Board of Supervisors, 2^nd District

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

June 30, 2009                                                                                                                 Contact:      Aurelio Rojas   213-974-2222

                                                                                                                                                          James Bolden  213-200-5314

 

RIDLEY-THOMAS CALLS ON COUNTY TO MOVE QUICKLY TO IMPLEMENT HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO COMPETE FOR FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDING

 

Countywide Health Information Technology Demonstration Project could operate as a model for healthcare in the country

 

LOS ANGELES – Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas today called for the County to optimize its chances of successfully competing for federal stimulus funding by quickly formulating a strategy to develop a cost effective and secure electronic exchange of patient medical records between public and private healthcare providers.  

 

The motion, approved by the Board of Supervisors, came three months after the Board approved Supervisor Ridley-Thomas’ request to direct County officials to conduct a feasibility study into creating a Countywide Health Information Technology (HIT) Demonstration Project that could serve as a model for a countywide exchange of patient medical records throughout the County.

 

“All of us should know that this means capturing huge savings and more care for more persons who may be sick or compromised,” the Supervisor said. “In addition to that, it will inspire quite a bit of interest and support from both the pubic and private sectors as we think about collaborations.”

 

The Supervisor said the county’s interest “signals something very, very positive in terms of the management of patients, the care that can be afforded them and the efficiencies that will be captured.”

 

“It can only mean better patient care from the perspective of prevention and management,” he said.

 

The Board instructed the County’s Chief Executive Officer to work with the appropriate County departments to develop a strategy for the Los Angeles Network for Enhanced Services (LANES) Project, which reflects the Board's April 7 decision. 

 

The Supervisor said the strategic feasibility assessment and related work should be completed as quickly as possible to optimize chances of successfully competing for funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and other sources.

 

The HIT Demonstration Project will include evidence-based treatment guidelines to assist doctors in integrating latest research data into practice with patients; outcome measurement capacity; and appropriate confidentiality protections.

 

A report is expected back to the Board 60 days or sooner to ensure that the County submits a proposal to successfully compete for ARRA health information technology funds.

 

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