Utah Hosts ‘Connectivity’ Conference

 (Salt Lake City, UT) – Partners from Utah’s health care community will gather to address advancing the use of health information technology (HIT) in a secure way that protects patient privacy.  The “Utah Promontory Health Information Exchange and Technology Connectivity Conference” will address the implementation of state efforts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants. Attendees will also explore how to align their efforts with Utah’s vision for health care transformation. 

“While the adoption and use of HIT is foundational to the implementation of true health care transformation, our vision is that standard, secure, accurate, electronic sharing of health information results in better care, lower costs, and healthier communities,” said Dr. David Patton, Executive Director, Utah Department of Health (UDOH). 

The two-day conference will feature federal and state officials, as well as HIT industry leaders from the Intermountain West. The conference is an opportunity for local business leaders to discuss strategies for effectively implementing health IT that will improve patient care and lower costs.

“Every day Utah health care professionals are making important decisions for their patients without access to critical medical information,” said Robert Rolfs, MD, Utah State HIT Coordinator and UDOH Deputy Director. “With community resources like the Clinical Health Information Exchange, patients can enable their health care providers to secure access to their medical information for better and more accurate care,” he added.

Farzad Mostashari, MD, ScM, National Coordinator for HIT, U.S. Health and Human Services, will participate in a morning session by teleconference and speak on the “Federal Direction and Perspective Forward for HIT.”

The Conference will be held in West Valley City June 21-22, 2011 at the Utah Multicultural Celebration Center. Utah Governor Gary Herbert and the Deputy Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are among the confirmed speakers for the event. Registration is open to the public. For more information and a conference schedule, please visit http://www.health.utah.gov/phi/?formname=conference.

Media Contact:

Francesca Lanier

State HIE Program

(801) 538-6271

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