Health information organizations based in Grand Junction and Denver have expanded their exchange of patient records to better coordinate care across Colorado.

Quality Health Network in Grand Junction and the Colorado Regional Health Information Organization in Denver announced the effort.

“Securely sharing health data across systems and regions is an important step in providing high-quality, low-cost healthcare,” said Dick Thompson, executive director and chief executive officer of Quality Health Network. “This link between QHN and CORHIO provides a vital connection to health data for all Coloradans. QHN will continue building on our successful connections to health information exchanges in Utah and Arizona and the Veterans’ Administration, establishing an important network across the western U.S. and nationally.”

QHN and CORHIO exchange a range of records. Using either QHN or CORHIO systems, health care providers can access hospital records, clinical documents, test results and more information to care for patients who might have traveled to another location to receive care or were out of town when a health incident occurred. Over the last two years, QHN and CORHIO have notified health care providers when a health event occurred for one of their patients.

QHN and CORHIO connect a total of 89 Colorado hospitals and more than 7,600 providers.

“As health information exchange expands across the nation, Colorado remains on the forefront of this shift,” said Morgan Honea, chief executive officer of the CORHIO. “This collaboration between QHN and CORHIO ensures caregivers across the state have access to accurate and timely information, including clinical care summaries, regardless of their location or the system they use to manage medical records. This statewide interoperability is a vital step in Colorado’s participation in national data exchange expansion.”

QHN also is involved in a pilot program to launch a community resource network to address other issues that affect the well-being of people. The network offers a snapshot of an individual, including family and housing situations, as well as information about available resources that can meet needs and the appropriate agencies and organizations that can provide assistance.