Delaware to Protect Patients and Safeguard Against Bioterrorism Through Partnering Agreement

WILMINGTON, Del., -- Delaware is embarking on becoming the first state in the nation to provide statewide electronic access to clinical information at the point of care. A key to the system is that patient consent is required and access is strictly limited to the provider delivering the care. The operational component will be supplied by the non-profit Patient Safety Institute's (PSI) clinical information sharing network.

The first phase of implementation is expected to be in place within six months, followed by a more robust clinical data sharing capability that will facilitate the reduction of medical errors, improve quality and reduce health care costs.

"Delaware is committed to assuring its citizens the quality-enhancing benefits of networked, real-time clinical information, with a guarantee of confidentiality," said Lt. Gov. John C. Carney, Jr., chairman of the DHCC. "The system will also provide state health officials with an enhanced capability to identify the first signs of a bioterrorism attack or a new infectious disease like SARS."

"At a time when health care costs are quickly rising and many Americans are unable to get health insurance, we need to find ways to make health care safer and more affordable," said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.). "PSI can help on both of these fronts. At least one private consulting firm estimated that PSI could save $40 billion a year in health care costs if implemented nationally. That is why I am asking the General Accounting Office to come up with an independent analysis of the financial benefits of PSI."

PSI is a non-profit membership organization that brings patients and health care providers together using technology similar to that used by the VISA network for connecting banks, retailers and consumers.