Secure Health Information Exchange

In the Sutter Health network, we’re committed to improving the quality and safety of care we provide to our patients. That’s why we have implemented Secure Health Information Exchange (HIE) – a set of tools which allows our clinicians to quickly get the comprehensive medical information they need to deliver personalized care to you in the moments that matter the most. For more information about Secure HIE and how it impacts you, please refer to the frequently asked questions below.

Sutter’s Secure Health Information Exchange allows clinicians, and others who support your care, to securely share a patient’s vital medical information electronically. This sharing can take place among doctors’ offices, hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, skilled nursing facilities and other healthcare providers. Clinicians no longer need to rely on fax or postal mail to transfer patient records. Instead, caregivers in the Sutter Health network, and other health systems, can simply and securely send or download the information they need to provide patients the most coordinated care possible.

To provide you with the safest, most effective and efficient care possible, authorized clinicians and care teams need a complete picture of your medical history—especially in emergencies, when every second counts. By using Secure Health Information Exchange, Sutter Health network clinicians can quickly get the medical information they need. Also, when traveling or transitioning your care to other providers, health information exchange allows the information in your Sutter electronic health record (EHR) to travel with you, supporting care continuity.

By accessing your records through the health information exchange, doctors can also see your previous tests results and any medicines or treatments to ensure they order only what’s necessary. When clinicians have access to more complete information, they spend less time gathering records from different organizations and can focus on caring for you.

Below are some examples of when clinicians might share your medical history:

• Your primary care provider may directly send your healthcare summaries to a specialist.
• Emergency room care teams might adjust treatment plans to avoid adverse medication reactions or duplicative testing after reviewing your medications, recent radiology images or test results.
• If you suffered a stroke or a broken hip, your entire care team—from the emergency room to a rehabilitation facility—can access the relevant clinical information they need in a timely manner.

Federal and state privacy laws allow doctors, nurses and other caregivers to share health information only to support a patient’s medical treatment, as well as manage and obtain payment for the services provided.

Only users with an authorized medical treatment need, or other legitimate business need, can see your information. When accessing patient information, individuals are required by law and policy to view only the minimum information necessary to accomplish their needs. Sutter Health routinely audits users’ access to patient information to assure that these standards are upheld.

You can request an accounting of the use of your personal health information and of specific disclosures of information for purposes other than treatment, payment and healthcare operations. To learn more, please call the toll-free, Sutter Health Privacy Message Line at (855) 771-4220.

If you received care at a Sutter facility and then receive care from another provider or organization, the other organization may be permitted to access information in your Sutter Health record to support and coordinate your care.

If you choose to opt out of Secure Health Information Exchange, your healthcare team may not have all of the needed information to provide you the safest and most effective healthcare.

Sutter Health commits to safeguarding the privacy of our patients. Only users with an authorized medical treatment or other legitimate business need can see your information.

Call the toll-free, Sutter Health Privacy Message Line at (855) 771-4220.