Quality Health Network (QHN) Hosts Healthier Together Summit, Discusses Future of Health Information Exchange
The regional health information exchange facilitator, Quality Health Network (QHN), recently held its annual Healthier Together Summit, marking 20 years of service to western Colorado and outlining its goals for the future. The summit focused on the importance of sharing health data and coordinating patient care between different health systems and providers.
Founded through a collaboration between St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, Community Hospital, Rocky Mountain Health Plans, Hilltop Community Resources, and the Mesa County Physicians Independent Practice Association, QHN has facilitated the exchange of over 173 million messages since 2004. This data sharing has enabled better care for patients and improved outcomes across the region.
At the summit, leaders in the medical field shared their experiences, innovative practices, and predictions for the future of community health and healthcare. Keynote speaker Kim Bimestefer, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, highlighted the challenges facing Colorado’s healthcare system, including rising costs and the impact of social determinants of health.
Bimestefer emphasized the importance of addressing social determinants such as housing affordability, which can significantly impact an individual’s overall health. She praised QHN for developing a tool that allows healthcare providers to prescribe community and government resources to address these social determinants, rather than relying solely on medication.
Looking ahead, QHN CEO Marc Lassaux discussed plans to affiliate with Contexture, another health information exchange that serves parts of Colorado and Arizona. By joining forces, the two organizations aim to expand QHN’s coverage area and improve health outcomes for individuals in their communities.
Other speakers at the summit included motivational speaker Craig Zablocki, who emphasized the importance of re-learning how to have fun and reduce daily stress. Discussions also covered topics such as artificial intelligence in healthcare, communication of social determinants of health, and the connection between healthcare and childcare.
Attendees had the opportunity to interact with over 25 different community health organizations at a resource fair, where they could learn about the services available and how to access them. Lassaux stressed the importance of raising awareness about these resources and ensuring that those serving vulnerable community members are aware of how to best utilize them.
Overall, the Healthier Together Summit provided a platform for collaboration, innovation, and discussion about the future of healthcare in western Colorado. By bringing together leaders from various sectors, QHN aims to continue improving patient care, promoting wellness, and addressing the social determinants of health that impact community well-being.