Humana Inc. has begun working with the Wisconsin Health Information Exchange (WHIE) to ensure that clinicians have access to the most comprehensive community-wide data available for emergency department patients.

As part of its ongoing emergency care initiatives, Humana has entered a pilot program with the WHIE, the first health information exchange in Wisconsin.

Health information exchanges, such as WHIE, use information technology to provide secure authorized access to clinical data, improving communication among clinicians, care coordination and reducing unnecessary duplication of services.

"I have seen the positive impact of a physician having a patient's historical view - it reduces the chance the patient will have unnecessary or redundant tests and results in steps that positively influence the patient's cost of care delivery," said Dr. Albert Tzeel, Humana's regional medical market officer. "For these reasons, I'm proud Humana is taking steps to aid WHIE in this initiative."

In the program, Humana has agreed to provide a WHIE-administered incentive to providers for utilization of the WHIE.

"We are excited to see an insurer like Humana involved with WHIE and look forward to working with Humana on these initiatives. WHIE now has more than one year of patient history data online, with 13 hospitals contributing to the exchange and five emergency departments using WHIE as a standard in patient care," said Kim Pemble, chairman of the board and executive director of WHIE. "2009 will bring continued growth for WHIE, building on this new relationship with Humana and an ongoing relationship with Milwaukee Health Care Partnership."

The programs seek to improve utilization by directing patients with conditions more appropriate for a primary care physician or urgent care centers away from busy emergency departments. Examples include sore throat and flu symptoms, which for a typical patient with no other diagnosed illness are easily addressed in non-emergent settings.

"Emergency departments are intended for life-threatening situations. When a visit to the emergency department occurs for less urgent symptoms, health care expenses rise, time delays increase and overcrowded emergency departments get busier yet," said Larry Rambo, regional CEO for Humana. "We understand the importance of working to reduce healthcare costs while maintaining the highest level of care for patients in Wisconsin."

The WHIE is nonprofit organization formed to improve the quality, safety efficiency and accessibility of health care and public health by enabling collaboration and information sharing across multiple health care facilities. The WHIE ED Linking Project is being pursued in collaboration with the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and participating health care providers across the greater Milwaukee area. WHIE's technical business partner is Microsoft Health Solutions Group, with WHIE powered by Amalga.