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Collaborating for Better Care: HealtheConnections Partners with Azara Healthcare and CHCANYS

In an exciting move to elevate healthcare for residents of New York, HealtheConnections, alongside Azara Healthcare and the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS), is set to revolutionize how community health centers (CHCs) access critical patient information. This innovative partnership will allow these centers to seamlessly receive real-time encounter alerts, significantly enhancing their ability to provide timely care.

The integration leverages the SHIN-NY Statewide Encounter Alerts (SEAS) through the Center for Primary Care Informatics (CPCI) platform powered by Azara Healthcare. By using a system already familiar to CHCs, the new solution aims to simplify how they receive encounter notifications about patients' hospital admissions and emergency department visits from across New York State.

Meeting the Challenge of Interoperability

Historically, CHCs have faced a significant barrier in obtaining timely information about patient encounters due to the fragmented nature of health information exchanges. Each center often received alerts from multiple local sources that varied based on geographic location. This can lead to delays in patient care as providers struggled to navigate these disparate streams of information.

Mary Lantin, President and CEO of Azara Healthcare, emphasized the importance of this integration: “This is exactly the kind of practical interoperability we have been working toward with the SHIN-NY. The promise of the SHIN-NY has always been to make important health information available where it can be used effectively.” By consolidating alerts into one streamlined system, CHCs can better respond to patients' needs.

Enhancing Patient Care Through Technology

The new integration offers CHCs robust, customizable, real-time alerts directly through Azara's Transitions of Care (TOC) Module. This means care teams can access comprehensive patient information quickly without the hassle of toggling between various alert systems. The solution is already live for participating CHCs and will be available to all centers utilizing Azara's TOC Module by the end of 2026.

Elizabeth Amato, President and CEO of HealtheConnections, stated, “We saw an opportunity to simplify the process by providing one statewide source delivered through a platform many CHCs already use.” This not only reduces administrative burdens but enhances the overall efficiency of patient care.

A Collective Effort to Transform Healthcare

The role of CHCANYS in facilitating this partnership cannot be understated. By advocating for the needs of New York’s community health centers, CHCANYS has helped bridge the gap between healthcare providers and technological solutions.

Rose Duhan, CHCANYS President and CEO, stressed that, “Community Health Centers need technology that works for them, not technology that creates more work.” The integration represents a meaningful stride in ensuring CHCs have access to the information they require, ultimately improving the care they provide to over 2.5 million people annually across New York State.

Looking Ahead

As HealtheConnections continues to collaborate with Azara Healthcare and CHCANYS, the ongoing evolution of the SHIN-NY will make critical health information not just available, but more user-friendly for healthcare providers. The integration of SHIN-NY Statewide Encounter Alerts into existing care workflows stands to strengthen patient coordination and follow-up care, making a tangible difference in healthcare delivery.

For community health centers interested in this new solution, HealtheConnections serves as the primary contact for inquiries regarding SEAS. Those looking to implement Azara’s TOC Module can reach out directly to either Azara Healthcare or CHCANYS.

In conclusion, partnerships like the one between HealtheConnections, Azara Healthcare, and CHCANYS mark significant advancements in healthcare interoperability, revealing the potential for improved patient outcomes when technology and healthcare work hand in hand.