KALAMAZOO - About 45 healthcare leaders from Southwest Michigan and the State of Michigan met Jan. 8 to explore technology opportunities for a planned Southwest Michigan Health Information Exchange.

 Five IT equipment and service providers -- Axolotl, Covisint, eClinicalWorks, GE Healthcare and Medicity - showcased technology capable of linking healthcare providers throughout Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties.

 "We wanted to provide this opportunity for the region's healthcare leaders to explore the options that are available to handle the needs and challenges of sharing essential patient information securely, quickly and accurately," said Mindy Richards, CEO of ChangeScape, a Birmingham, Mich.-based healthcare management advisory firm that is coordinating the planning phase of the Southwest Michigan Health Information Exchange. "Each company's offerings offered unique approaches creating a large, complex and highly sensitive technology infrastructure."

The Southwest Michigan Health Information Exchange is one of nine regional health information exchanges (HIEs) proposed for the state by the Michigan Department of Community Health. Battle Creek Health System, Borgess Healthcare, Bronson Health Care Group, Lakeland Health Care, Oaklawn Hospital have been actively involved in the planning phase of the HIE.

Healthcare leaders in attendance critiqued the technology offerings. Their observations and comments will be considered in selecting an IT provider by a peer-based technical work group.

A strategic leadership conference designed to explore HIE development is planned for late February.

The Southwest Michigan Health Information Exchange is soliciting volunteers to serve on the technical work group as well as clinical, legal, financial and governance work groups. Those interested in participating are encouraged to email info@ChangEscapeInc.com

Additional information on the Southwest Michigan Health Information Exchange is available at www.MIHealthELink.Org