Pennsylvania Governor's Office receives over $17M to develop PHIX health information "superhighway"

The Governor's Office of Health Care Reform has received more than $17 million in federal Recovery Act funds to help develop a health information "superhighway" to connect health care practitioners, patients, facilities and pharmacies through a secure network giving them the ability to have a complete record of a patient's medical history.

"The transition to an electronic system of health records is another critical step in achieving the goals of Governor Rendell's comprehensive Prescription for Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange, or PHIX, which is the name of our superhighway, will support patient-centered health care and improve access, quality and efficiency of care," said Ann Torregrossa, director of the Governor's Office of Health Care Reform.

Increased use of health IT will allow for better coordination and delivery of health care across Pennsylvania. An effective health information exchange will allow health care providers to see a patient's entire health care story, saving valuable resources and allowing them to focus on healthcare delivery.

Transitioning from paper to secure electronic health records allows for more accurate, complete and timely medical information to be available as patients are treated. It will add efficiency to the system, save on unnecessary and duplicative tests and improve outcomes.

The $17.1 million grant is part of a $750 million American Reinvestment and Recovery Act initiative to increase capacity and expand health information technology across the country.

GOHCR is finalizing a strategic plan to create PHIX. The funds will be spent over the next four years as PHIX is implemented across the state.

Widespread adoption of electronic health records technology and use of PHIX will dramatically affect the way day-to-day business is conducted by primary care practitioners and specialists.