By Carolyn J Dawson

TMCnet Contributor

 

Harris Corporation (News - Alert) has signed a unique contract with Quest Diagnostics, wherein the services offered by the Florida Health Information Exchange or HIE will be further promoted. In 2010, the Agency for Healthcare Administration had signed a four-year contract with Harris, wherein Harris would deploy a HIE infrastructure across Florida, thereby enhancing the delivery and organization of healthcare.

 

Healthcare providers implementing the Florida HIE technology framework will be able to access and transfer health information of patients to sanctioned members in a protected manner.

Harris will now incorporate its Direct Secure Messaging Services capability with Quest Diagnostics' Care360 suite of offerings as per the most recent contract.

 

Don Mestas, vice president of Harris Healthcare Solutions said, "The addition of the 11,000 physician offices in Quest Diagnostics' Florida physician network continues our progress toward increasing the use of the statewide HIE. With Care360 now connected to the HIE, providers across Florida can securely share patient information, to make it available when and where it is needed, and to deliver the best possible care to patients."

 

Quest Diagnostics' Care360 suite of offerings comprises of an online platform, wherein physicians are able to order laboratory tests on the web, prescribe medicines and record clinical messages and documents. Quest Diagnostics, with Harris' assistance, will now be the maiden technology vendor to collaborate with the Florida HIE. Quest Diagnostics will now provide Harris' Direct Secure Messaging service for the trading of clinical information among providers. The Florida HIE can now collaborate with Care360 providers, pharmacies, and hospital members through this incorporation, thereby assisting access to required clinical information and communications.