To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Data Access Agreement with Oregon Community Health Information Network, Inc. and Open Door Community Health Centers, Inc. Regarding Access to a Secure Electronic Health Data System
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached data access agreement with Oregon Community Health Information Network, Inc. and Open Door Community Health Centers regarding the provision of secure access to Oregon Community Health Information Network, Inc’s electronic health data system;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to, and any other agreements, certifications, attestations and documents directly associated with, the attached data access agreement with Oregon Community Health Information Network, Inc. and Open Door Community Health Centers, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed original copy of the attached data access agreement with Oregon Community Health Information Network, Inc. and Open Door Community Health Centers to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Fund
DISCUSSION:
Oregon Community Health Information Network, Inc. (“OCHIN”) is one of the nation’s largest providers of health information networks. OCHIN’s electronic health data system EPIC Care Elsewhere (“OCHIN Link”) brings eligible health care providers together to share access to electronic health information necessary to improve the delivery and coordination of care to patients with whom medical providers share treatment relationships in common. OCHIN manages and administers OCHIN Link by interfacing with medical providers. Open Door Community Health Centers (“ODCHC”) operates several local community health clinics, which provide physical and behavioral health services to qualified patients residing in northern California and southern Oregon.
The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health (“DHHS - Public Health”) provide services to patients residing in Humboldt County who have been diagnosed with, or are at risk of contracting, certain communicable diseases. DHHS - Public Health also provides case management and healthcare oversight to local youth who are currently in the foster care system and physical and occupational therapy services through the California Children’s Services Medical Therapy Unit.
In order to recommend appropriate action and treatment and investigate the source of disease to prevent the further spread of infectious diseases within the community, DHHS - Public Health staff review patients’ electronic health records. Currently, staff request these records from ODCHC, who then compile and send the records to DHHS - Public Health staff manually. The attached data access agreement with OCHIN and ODCHC will provide DHHS - Public Health with secure, “read-only” access to ODCHC’s electronic health records via OCHIN Link for those patients with whom they share a treatment relationship, to improve delivery and coordination of care to those patients.
Accordingly, DHHS - Public Health recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached data access agreement with OCHIN and ODCHC regarding the provision of secure access to OCHIN’s electronic health data system. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS - Public Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to, and any other agreements, certifications, attestations and documents directly associated with, the attached data access agreement with OCHIN and ODCHC, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in accessing needed electronic health records.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no direct costs associated with the attached data access agreement with OCHIN and ODCHC regarding the provision of secure access to OCHIN’s electronic health data system. As a result, approval of the attached data access agreement with OCHIN and ODCHC will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, creating opportunities for improved safety and health and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached data access agreement with OCHIN and ODCHC regarding the provision of secure access to OCHIN’s electronic health data system. However, this alternative is not recommended, as it will hinder the process of providing quality and coordinated health care to mutual clients.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Data Access Agreement with Oregon Community Health Information Network, Inc. and Open Door Community Health Centers, Inc. Regarding Access to a Secure Electronic Health Data System
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A