GRAND RAPIDS – The boards of Michigan’s two largest health information exchanges approved a letter of intent to merge operations, which will help a majority of Michigan hospitals and health care providers exchange patient records. The due diligence process is expected to be completed by March 31.
The merger of East Lansing-based Great Lakes Health Information Exchange and Grand Rapids-based Michigan Health Connect creates one of the largest privately funded, financially sustainable health information exchanges in the country. The merger involves more than 2,000 provider offices and more than 100 hospitals. Officials said the merger positions Michigan as a national leader in the exchange of electronic health records to provide optimal patient care.
?Millions of Michigan residents will receive better care and achieve greater levels of personal health as a result of this merger,? said Patrick O?Hare, board chair of Michigan Health Connect. ?Combining the talent and resources of these two organizations makes perfect sense for Michigan at this time.?
Electronic exchange of medical records allows physicians, hospitals and other medical professionals to better coordinate and more securely access a patient?s complete health information, no matter where that patient seeks treatment.
?This is the right thing to do for our participating providers and their patients,? said Dr. Brian McCardel, board chair of the Great Lakes Health Information Exchange. ?This merger means that we can maximize collaboration between providers across Michigan through robust, integrated exchange of clinical information.?
