Indiana FQHC wins HIMSS Davies Award

HealthNet, Indiana’s largest federally qualified health center (FQHC), is a 2015 HIMSS Ambulatory Davies Award recipient.

Since 1994, the HIMSS Nicholas E. Davies Award of Excellence has recognized outstanding achievement of organizations that have utilized health IT to substantially improve patient outcomes while achieving return on investment. It also promotes EHR-enabled improvement in patient outcomes through sharing of case studies and lessons learned across a wide range of efforts. 

HealthNet has been working to improve the health status of Indianapolis’ inner-city neighborhoods by increasing access since 1968. Through 150 licensed providers, HealthNet annually provides affordable healthcare to more than 59,286 individuals, 65 percent of whom are Medicaid recipients, according to a release.

In addition, 77 percent of patients served are under the age of 35 (54 percent ages 0-17 years, 23 percent ages 18-34 years). HealthNet has a network of 8 primary care health centers, 1 OB/GYN care center, 1 pediatric and adolescent care center, 1 maternal fetal medicine center, 5 dental clinics, 7 school-based clinics, a homeless program with 8 shelter clinics and additional support services. 

With the assistance of EHRs and a variety of IT interventions, HealthNet has reduced low birth weights, improved care outcomes for pediatric patients and significantly increased patient satisfaction. The organization has used its EHR to improve patient management and billing has produced a 230 percent return on investment since 2009.

HealthNet of Indianapolis will be recognized at the 2016 HIMSS Conference & Exhibition, which begins on Feb. 29 in Las Vegas.

Beth Walsh,

Editor

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.

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