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Health Information Technology

Welcome to our website - www.HealthIT.wa.gov - where our goal is to provide the information, resources and links that will help guide you through the landscape of health information technology (Health IT) in Washington State.

Public and private organizations are driving a number of Health IT projects and initiatives. This work includes federal and state programs to improve health care outcomes or enhance efficiencies in electronic health, as well as the business-, non-profit- and government-sectors' coordination, collaboration and training that is essential for moving ahead. Select the links below to find out more about these Health IT programs and initiatives.

	Electronic Health Record Incentive Program Washington State's Medicaid EHR Incentive Program is playing an important role in establishing critical health information technology designed to reduce costs, improve care and advance coordination across our healthcare system, leading to better health outcomes and healthier lives.
	Health Information Exchange OneHealthPort (OHP) was selected to lead development and implementation of the Health Information Exchange (HIE) in Washington State. You can read about OHP's objectives - and find links to their progress reports - by visiting the HIE website.
	Regional Extension Centers Created by Qualis Health, the Washington & Idaho Regional Extension Center (WIREC) offers technical assistance, guidance and information to health care providers that are working toward meaningful use of electronic health records.
	Workforce Training and Development Bellevue College leads Curricula development, student recruitment and retention, equipment acquisition, and community college/university bridge programs and activities that will help optimize state ARRA health IT efforts. You can also go to ONC's website to find out what other states are doing in Health IT Workforce Development.
WHIIEC	Washington Health Information Industry-Education Council (WHIIEC) The Health Care Authority convenes and facilitates the Washington Health Information Industry-Education Council (WHIIEC). WHIIEC is a forum for representatives of employers and HIT education/training programs to align educational opportunities with the HIT staffing needs of health care providers, public health agencies, insurers and other employers and provide meaningful career opportunities for graduates.
	Public Health The Washington State Department of Health has formed the Meaningful Use Health Information Technology Workgroup to prepare to qualify to be an early adopter of the HIE system. The Workgroup consists of members from Department of Health, Local Health Jurisdictions, and other partners.
	Research and Development The University of Washington is the designated Lead Organization for HITECH Research and Development.
Washington Telehealth Consortium	Telehealth/Telemed/Broadband The Washington Telehealth Consortium is the Lead Organization for Telehealth and Broadband in Washington State. Read about the USDA grant program information. Other program updates can be found in the eHealth Collaborative Enterprise newsletters.
	Beacon Community The Beacon Community of the Inland Northwest (BICN) is one of 17 pilot communities across the country selected to demonstrate how health information technology can improve health outcomes. The Beacon Community Program falls under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
	Health Record Bank Pilots Currently, there is no entity responsible for establishing a Health Record Bank to securely collect and assemble consumer's comprehensive health information. Read more about the State of Washington's health record bank pilot project that was developed and implemented several years ago to address this challenge