Two Ohio HIEs to share immunization data

Two Ohio primary care practices have successfully begun sharing immunization data with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) through electronic health information exchange (HIE). 

HealthBridge, a Cincinnati-based HIE that serves as a statewide health data hub, worked with the ODH Immunization Department on a pilot to electronically connect providers with the state immunization registry.

The pilot also involved Family Physicians of Urbana and Reading Family Medicine in Cincinnati, which were able to demonstrate connectivity by sending a secure message to the statewide registry through the Greater Dayton Area Health Information Network, a HealthBridge partner based in Dayton.

“Capturing an accurate picture of a child’s immunization status has been a priority of the ODH’s (immunization registry) since its inception,” said ODH director Ted Wymyslo, MD, in a statement. “To do so, we need our state IT system to communicate with provider EHRs. This pilot is an effort to advance public health through the expanded use of health IT.”