Health Catalyst













	T H E C H A L L E N G E The Allegany Community Healthcare Network (CHIN), a consortium of 34 healthcare and government organizations, sought a software system to facilitate the electronic exchange of patient information. The site would offer clinical information to help healthcare professionals to improve the quality of care to patients and reduce the administrative costs of healthcare.



	T H E A P P R O A C H Health Catalyst created a referral management and patient tracking system accessible anywhere, anytime through the Internet. Beyond secure, accurate customer referrals and efficient customer tracking system, many user-friendly features make managing patients effortless. Referrals go directly to the responsible person and can be flagged as high priority for quicker response. Standardized consent forms reduce guesswork. An automated "organization matching" engine uses consumer demographics and agency qualification criteria to recommend additional services for patients. A sophisticated security system allows only authorized users to access information, and sensitive patient information is encrypted.

		A common information system enabling the secure sharing of patient information and automate the paper-intensive patient referral process

		A shared patient consent that maintains standards set by the consortium

		Electronic referrals with the information needed to complete the referral process

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T H E R E S U L T S
A beta version of the patient referral system was launched in November 2000. The referral system is helping healthcare professionals extend their reach to patients in the community. With the majority of professionals on the system first-time Internet users, the Network credits the easy-to-use patient referral solution as a major factor in the successful adoption of the system.