An expanding health information exchange has linked 71 hospitals and nearly 600 post-acute providers in New Jersey, surpassing expectations and offering staffing insights beyond the initial scope of a patient discharge initiative. State legislators mandated that all nursing homes join the New Jersey Health Information Network by 2021, facilitating discharge alerts for hospitals and post-acute providers. Presently, 545 out of 662 facilities have complied, establishing a robust network recognized by state officials as instrumental in uncovering insights into emerging public health issues.
Jennifer D’Angelo, Vice President and General Manager of NJHIN, explained, “If we see an uptick in transfers out from certain facilities to the hospital, then we know that something is going on within that region or within that health system or care setting.” This proactive approach allows for deeper investigations, such as identifying influenza or COVID outbreaks.
The HIN staff analyzes incoming data and maintains regular communication with the state’s Department of Health and the Long-Term Care Office of Resiliency. These agencies can reach out to specific providers to assess conditions driving hospital transfers and determine if additional resources are required.
Anticipating staffing needs, some innovative providers utilize the network and its mapping feature to shape their care delivery responses. Complete Care, for instance, adjusts staff allocations based on expected discharges and heightened hospitalizations near specific facilities, effectively operating as an early-warning system.
Jennifer Leatherbarrow, Senior Vice President of Clinical Informatics for Toms River, NJ-based firm, emphasized the unique value of the state’s health information network during the COVID era. Unlike maps for COVID hot spots, there were none available for other illnesses like influenza or RSV. The network, provided by the New Jersey Health Information Network, emerged as a crucial tool, offering real-time insights. Complete Care’s adaptable regional approach enables resource shifts in response to anticipated needs, reminiscent of their strategy during hurricane coverage and the COVID pandemic.
Leatherbarrow highlighted the importance of anticipation, with infection preventionists monitoring hot spots for timely responses, especially over weekends. The network’s visibility and real-time notifications empower providers to scale up or down, adjusting staffing accordingly. Many skilled nursing providers, particularly larger organizations, are leveraging the information for planning, with some becoming more sophisticated based on their size.
While participation in the network is mandatory for skilled nursing and assisted living providers, the state incentivizes compliance with over $4 million in awards. Unlike past efforts that excluded nursing homes, New Jersey’s program, inspired by the HITECH Act of 2009, closes the loop by offering notifications and tracking capabilities outside the skilled nursing facility. Plans for further expansion include piloting additional information-sharing capabilities and integrating electronic health records into existing workflows.
Jennifer D’Angelo, Vice President and General Manager of NJHIN, mentioned upcoming projects, such as allowing electronic health records systems to ingest clinical care documents and improving the sharing of end-of-life care forms through the network. Leatherbarrow expressed optimism about the future, emphasizing that New Jersey is ahead in the process and could serve as a model for the rest of the country in achieving seamless and comprehensive electronic record-sharing.
