TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., October 14, 2014  – Northern Physicians Organization announced today that it is the newest group to join the Michigan Health Information Network (MiHIN) as a Qualified Data Sharing Organization. This helps to integrate Northern Physician Organization’s (NPO) local practice registry to a state level and will allow for electronic health information to be securely shared statewide through MiHIN.

As a Qualified Data Sharing Organization (QO) under the Michigan Health Information Network’s (MiHIN) legal umbrella, NPO member providers can achieve better care coordination and transitions of care for patients by gaining full access to securely and privately exchange patient data with other health care providers connected to the statewide network of Health Information Exchanges operated by MiHIN. Having the patient’s coordinated care data accessible at the point of care gives providers a more complete picture of the patient’s medical condition and history, which allows for more informed medical decisions and improved outcomes at lower costs.

“This data exchange will greatly help reinforce the patient-doctor relationship by enhancing the communications between the patient’s doctors as well as between doctor and hospital,” says Peter Sneed, MD, NPO’s Executive Committee Chairman. “Becoming a Qualified Data Sharing Organization will help NPO achieve the triple aim of improving the experience of health care, improving the health of populations and reducing per capita costs of health care.”

About Michigan Health Information Network (MiHIN)

The Michigan Health Information Network (MiHIN) is Michigan’s initiative to improve health care quality, efficiency, and patient safety through the sharing of electronic health information, while reducing costs. MiHIN is the official state designated entity for health information exchange across Michigan and the future integration with the eHealth Exchange. MiHIN is a Michigan nonprofit entity, functioning as a public and private collaboration between the State of Michigan, sub-state Health Information Exchanges, payers, providers, and patients. For more information please visit www.mihin.org or contact George Farmer at farmer@mihin.org.

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Northern Physicians Organization (NPO) is a physician-led group aligning doctors’ processes, communications, best practices and ideas to unify Northern Michigan’s health care community and improve the overall health and wellness of its patients. Northern Physicians Organization can be reached at: 231.421.8505 or eworthington@npoinc.org.