Electronic Data Delivery
To save Vermont health care organizations many hours of scanning and other data entry labor, VITL is offering interfaces that deliver clinical data in electronic format directly to the organization’s EHR. The short video below explains more about how it works.
VITL is working with all Vermont hospitals to make their clinical data available in electronic format on the Vermont Health Information Exchange (VHIE). The hospital data stream is fed to VITL’s secure data center. VITL then uses identifiers in the data, such as patient and practitioner names, to route it over an encrypted connection to the correct EHRs. Typically, practitioners review the incoming clinical data in the EHR and decide whether to accept it into the patient’s electronic record.
Many of the leading EHRs have the capability to receive clinical data in electronic form. A project manager will be able to provide more information about whether your EHR can receive electronic clinical data. In some cases, we may need to discuss with your EHR vendor whether your particular EHR has this capability.
If you don't have an EHR, but still want to receive data in electronic form, please see the information about VITLinbox.
Steps To Getting Connected
If you want to receive electronic clinical data via VITL, getting started is fairly simple. The typical steps are:
1) Your organization signs the VHIE Services Agreement. This is the legal document which enables VITL to begin working with your organization on the project. You’ll have the opportunity to define the specifics later in a “project charter.” Please note that the agreement must be signed before work can proceed. Also please complete the VITL order form at the end of the VHIE Services Agreement to indicate the services you are interested in.
2) A VITL project manager is assigned. The project manager will work with your organization, the EHR vendor, and your preferred hospitals and labs to create the necessary computer interfaces.
3) VITL gathers some technical information. This information about your organization will be used by the VITL project manager in determining what needs to be done to get you connected.
4) Your organization contacts its EHR vendor and orders interfaces.This may require opening a support ticket with the vendor. The VITL project manager can provide more information about this step.
5) New interfaces are installed and tested.The health care organization is usually involved with testing and this step often requires a time commitment.
6) Go live and begin receiving data electronically.
Keeping You Connected 24/7
After going live, VITL continues providing Vermont-based technical support. We use state-of-the-art monitoring tools to keep your interfaces up and running around the clock. If there is a problem, our staff is alerted immediately and can begin resolving issues, sometimes before the organization notices any problems.
Request more information about VITL's HIE services
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions