For Patients
We’re here to help save your life.
The healthcare community supports the MHIN health information exchange network because it gives qualified medical professionals access to the most accurate, up-to-date patient information. They’ll know any specific conditions, illnesses, requirements that could affect treatment. For example, should be you be in an accident and unable to speak, emergency personnel can access your records through MHIN to see if you’re allergic to any medications.
How Our Platform Benefits You
Saving Time and Lives
During an emergency, time is of the essence. Having immediate access to patient records allows medical personnel to provide the right treatment, right now.
Improved Decision Making
Knowing your complete medical history allows doctors, nurses, and other caregivers to prescribe and provide the ideal course of action leading to your better health.
Quicker Test Results
Any tests you undergo become part of your record, and the results can be accessed immediately through MHIN by any appropriate physician or facility providing you treatment.
Avoid Duplicate Tests
Because physicians, hospitals, and treatment and rehabilitation centers can access your records, they’ll know what tests you’ve undergone so they don’t order the same one twice, ultimately saving you money.Contact us to learn more about how we are improving healthcare in our community
It’s Your Decision
The MHIN Health Information Exchange (HIE) follows an opt-out model. Indiana law allows patient information to be automatically included in health information exchange, but patients can opt-out, if desired. This model allows your medical information to be readily available to other healthcare providers for coordination of care and could avoid duplicate testing. You can choose not to share your health information by “opting-out.” Because HIE benefits your doctor and may impact your doctor’s ability to care for you, we encourage you to review the FAQs and consult with your doctor to move forward.
FAQs for Patients
Health information exchange (HIE) is the secure and trusted movement of health information electronically between doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers when it is needed for patient care. This information is protected and exchanged under medical privacy and confidentiality procedures. Through HIE, authorized health care providers have access to the most up-to-date information about your health which allows them to provide better, safer and more efficient care. Technology has changed the way we shop, bank, work and communicate. Now, it is changing the way health care is provided. With paper medical records, it can be challenging for your doctors to work together to coordinate your care. As health providers begin to keep electronic medical records instead of paper, MHIN makes the sharing of health information among authorized healthcare providers safer and more secure than paper-based files, like faxes and mail.
The HIE that serves Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan is MHIN (Michiana Health Information Network). Based in South Bend, Indiana, MHIN is a trusted, nonprofit organization that is sustained in partnership by three major healthcare organizations in our community: Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, The Medical Foundation, and Beacon Health System. Since 1999, MHIN has been working to make sure that providers have access to the medical information they need when they are caring for you. Through the MHIN HIE all of your health information is put together into one electronic health record for your providers. Instead of faxing, emailing, or mailing this information from provider to provider or provider to patient, MHIN makes it easier, faster and more secure.
Indiana law allows patient information to be automatically included in health information exchange. Due to the ever changing health care landscape and changes in healthcare regulations, MHIN and the authorized providers who participate in MHIN have assumed the responsibility to notify and educate you on the details regarding health information exchange and the choices that you have.
MHIN has put safeguards in place to secure your health information. MHIN follows federal and state laws, like HIPAA, and state and local policies, to protect your health information. Only authorized providers who have an established relationship with you, as a patient, are able to access your information. There are serious penalties for persons and organizations who improperly access or use your health information through MHIN. Your information will never be sold or added to any mailing lists as only those involved in your healthcare have access to your information. Recognized by the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC)’s Health Information Exchange Accreditation Program (HIEAP) MHIN has proven trust and confidence in their ability to manage health information with integrity and effectiveness. For more information on EHNAC visit EHNAC.org.
As allowed by law, the health information that can be accessed through MHIN by authorized health care providers may include:
- Name
- Address
- Key demographic information
- Medication history
- Test results
- Treatment history
- Health insurance information
MHIN uses role-based access and organizational security to limit access to sensitive information.
Sensitive information includes information such as:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Drug and alcohol treatment records
- Behavioral health treatment records
MHIN is not the legal custodian of your medical records. Therefore, we cannot provide you with access to and/or copies of your medical information. However, many healthcare providers offer personal health records (PHRs) that are supported by the MHIN HIE. Ask your provider if they offer a personal health record for you.
You can choose not to share your health information with MHIN by “opting out.” If you decide that you do not want to share any of your health information through MHIN, you will need to contact your participating provider’s office. By making this choice, your health information will not be available to providers who use the MHIN HIE. As a result, some healthcare professionals may not be able to continue providing your care.
If you have previously opted out and now want to share your medical information using MHIN you’ll need to opt-in. To opt-in, ask your participating, authorized provider to provide you a copy of the “Opt-Out Cancellation Form.” Complete this form, return to your provider, and your information will once again be made available through the MHIN HIE. Please note that between the time when you first opted-out and then opt-back-in there will be a gap in your health information in the MHIN HIE.