RIQI's efforts acknowledged by CMS
Rhode Island Quality Institute (RIQI) has been recognized by the federal government as a national leader for its efforts to enhance the safety and quality of healthcare by embracing the use of health IT.
As a state-designated regional health information organization, RIQI is working to help the state's providers adopt and implement technologies that allow them to communicate securely and electronically, in real time. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT is recognizing the efforts because 97 percent of pharmacies in the state participate in e-prescribing and 909 healthcare providers and their office staff are enabled for electronic care summary exchange using the CurrentCare Viewer.
“We’re proud of the work being done to improve care of people throughout the state and are thrilled the effort is receiving national recognition,” said Laura Adams, RIQI president and CEO. “Good communication among everyone involved in keeping a person healthy is vital to ensure good outcomes. Current technologies make it easy and safe for doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others to communicate with each other on their patients’ behalf. It results in fewer errors and means healthcare providers and their staff can spend more time actually talking with their patients. That’s what we’re working toward.”
Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.