Washington

Health Information Collaborative

WHIC SPONSORS

Click on each logo for more information about the organizations listed above.

The Washington Health Information Collaborative (WHIC) is a public-private partnership providing grants to medical clinics and small hospitals to help them acquire, implement and expand their use of electronic medical records and other health information technology.

Up to $500,000 for 2009 WHIC grants has been provided by First Choice Health, and other funding sources may be added in the future.

NOTE: 2009 grant applications are due July 31, 2009.

The Puget Sound Health Alliance, the Washington State Health Care Authority, and Qualis Health provide consulting and administrative support as part of the Collaborative. More about the grants, process and past recipients.

Why the Growing Interest in Health Information Technology?

What Types of Projects Are Eligible for WHIC Funding?

Map of Award Recipients in Washington State

Map of Award Recipients in All States

WHIC Grants (current and past)

Why the Growing Interest in Health Information Technology?

Health information technology (IT) can include electronic medical records (EMRs) and patient registries. Each are important tools used by a growing number of physicians and other health professionals to more effectively manage the care they provide to their patients.

How often do your patients have to write their health information on yet another set of paper forms? Or wait for lab results to be sent to you as their doctor? Or hand-carry X-rays from one office to another to make sure that you have the information you need to provide patients with top quality care?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, electronic medical records and other health information technology saves everyone time and money. They reduce the chance of medical error. When information can be shared electronically, it can improve every step in the health care process. Interest in promoting greater use of health information technology is coming from private and public sector leaders across region, the state and the nation. Locally, this interest is what spurred the creation of WHIC.

What Types of Projects are Eligible for WHIC Funding?

WHIC grants are awarded to primary care and speciality practices, as well as critical access hospitals to help fund the cost of acquisition and expansion of health IT systems. Funding is awarded for projects that address the following:

Initial practice or facility health IT acquisition and implementation support (e.g., technology, infrastructure, consulting, workflow redesign)

Increased functionality of health IT already in operation:

Purchase and/or implementation of additional modules (including decision support tools, computerized physician order entry, clinician feedback mechanisms, and chronic disease registry functions)
Data analysis and reporting capabilities

Connectivity efforts in a given community (e.g., infrastructure upgrades, primary care/hospital data integration/interfacing, practice connectivity with labs, pharmacies and specialists)

Expanded patient access to their own medical information (personal health record features) and increased patient engagement in their care.

If you are interested, there are many things that you and your organization can do now to get ready. Learn more about selecting your system.

Map of 2005-2008 Recipient Locations: Washington State

White dot = WA State Health Care Authority (2008)

Red dot = funded by First Choice Health (2008)

Yellow dot = funded by First Choice Health (2007)

Purple dot = funded by WA State Health Care Authority (2007)

Green dot = funded by WA State Health Care Authority (2006)

Dark blue dot = funded by First Choice Health (2006)

Light blue dot = funded by First Choice Health (2005)

Map of 2005-2008 Recipient Locations: All States