Washington, D.C. – The Western North Carolina Health Network was awarded a federal grant of $236,000 to expand its computer system to link doctors’ offices to hospitals so they can share patient information to provide better care and avoid running duplicative tests, Representative Heath Shuler announced Friday.
Currently, the WNC Data Link project interconnects 16 regional hospitals in a Health Exchange, which allows medical providers to share patient information, lab results, X-Rays and other data. The new grant from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department will open the system to about 75 doctors working in the region and allow them to digitally transmit patient records to and from hospitals.
“Expanding this network will help curb health care costs in Western North Carolina,” said Rep. Shuler, D-Waynesville. “This computer link will save both time and money, and allow patients to receive faster care because they won’t receive redundant tests.”
People in the region often must travel to different hospitals for various types of specialized care, and the WNC Data Link makes it easier for medical providers to share their information. Started in 2006, the network now receives about 6,400 information requests a month from hospitals.
The grant “will lead to less duplication of expensive tests and greater access to quality care,” said Robert Bednarek, Chief Executive Officer of Transylvania Regional Hospital and chairman of the WNC Data Link.
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