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Sebelius: Health Information Technology Strengthens Rural Care

Since CBHA's implementation of EHRs, the community health center has consistently ranked above the 95th percentile nationally.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a report on how health information technology improved health care in the Columbia Basin Health Association (CBHA) in Othello, Wash. CBHA used its EHR system to better track 1,302 diabetic patients. CBHA monitored whether patients received recommended exams and then provided feedback to health care providers on their performance. In January 2008, only 31 percent of patients at CBHA had received a foot exam and only 37 percent had received an eye exam during the previous year. By June 2008, 86 percent of patients had received a foot exam and 63 percent had received an eye exam over the previous year. Since CBHA's implementation of EHRs, the community health center has consistently ranked above the 95th percentile nationally in total medical and dental team productivity, according to a release from Sebelius' Office.