If you are like most people, your health care involves a variety of providers and sites – doctors, nurses, hospitals, specialists, clinical laboratories, pharmacies and others. Many of these providers are switching from using paper records to electronic ones.
Health care providers are now taking advantage of this opportunity to make records more accessible through the creation of a Health Information Exchange (HIE).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a HIE?
A Health Information Exchange (HIE) uses technology to allow health care providers to electronically share health information with each other in a secure, timely manner. This health information could include reports about your illnesses, injuries, allergies, medicines and test results.
Why is a HIE important now?
Technology has changed the way we shop, bank, work and communicate. Now, it’s changing the way health care is provided. With paper medical records, it can be time-consuming for your doctors to work together to coordinate your care. As health providers begin to keep electronic medical records instead of paper, the HIE makes the sharing of health information among providers, including pharmacies and labs, easier and more efficient.
What can the HIE do for me?
Regional healthcare systems along with other health care providers, are participating in the HIE. Through the HIE, doctors involved in your medical care can share information about your overall health, including history of ill-nesses or injuries (like diabetes or a broken bone), allergies, test results (like x-rays and blood tests) and lists of medicines. If you see multiple doctors who participate in the HIE, they may see a more complete picture of your health, and make more in-formed treatment decisions. Your health information is available to participating health care providers where and when they need it, without delay.
How will my information be used?
Medical information obtained through the HIE will be used for treatment, payment and health-care operations reasons only. Policies that follow federal and state law limit how your information can be used or shared through the HIE. The HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices from your health care provider explains in detail how and why your information is used.
Who can access my records?
Only your providers who are treating you and their approved staff members can access your records through the HIE. For example, if one of your doctors participates in the HIE, he or she can access your health information maintained by your other providers who also participate in the HIE.
How secure is the HIE?
Special technology features are used to keep your information secure and protect your records. HIE technology has security features, such as audit logs, which keep track of who accessed your records and when. Data encryption is also used to provide an even higher level of security.
Even with all these security protections in place, if improper access does occur through the HIE, the law requires that you be notified, and steps will be taken to correct the problem.
What about my “sensitive” information?
“Sensitive information” is specifically restricted by more protective State or federal laws. Sensitive information includes information such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), venereal diseases, drug and alcohol treatment records, behavioral health treatment records, and genetic testing. This information will generally be disclosed only with your permission on a case-by-case basis. In all cases we will comply with the requirements of such laws.
We take your privacy very seriously. The HIE has the best possible safeguards to ensure that sensitive information is accessed appropriately and with your permission when required.
Can I access my own medical records?
With the HIE, your records are only available to participating health care providers such as your doctor. For copies of your medical records, contact your health providers directly. Doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare organizations can provide you with paper copies upon request. If your doctor uses an electronic medical record, you might also have the ability to receive an electronic copy.
How do I sign up?
There is no need to do anything further. If you reside within the City of Camden, your health information is already on the Camden HIE, and it is accessible by your authorized Camden HIE participating providers. However, if you do not want your health information to be electronically accessed, you must submit a completed HIE Opt-Out form. If you previously submitted an HIE Opt-Out but now have changed your mind, you must complete, sign and submit a Revocation of Prior Opt-Out form.
I still have questions. Who do I contact?
If you have questions regarding the Health Information Exchange, please fill out the form below.
If you have a question concerning your medical records, please do not use this form. To request your medical records, you must contact the Virtua Health Information Management (HIM) Department at the division where you were seen. For your convenience, the HIM Department phone numbers are as follows:
| Virtua Berlin | 856-322-3400 |
| Virtua Camden | 856-322-3400 |
| Virtua Marlton | 856-355-6605 |
| Virtua Memorial | 609-261-7014 |
| Virtua Voorhees | 856-247-2251 |