OGDENSBURG -- Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center has partnered with HealtheConnections, a regional electronic health records clearinghouse.

It is part of Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO) of Central New York, an organization that compiles patient medical records from hospitals and other healthcare providers in the 11 counties of Central New York in an effort to increase the efficiency and quality of health care in the region.

The HealtheConnections Health Information Exchange (HIE) connects all of people’s electronic medical information, including histories, labs, reports, and diagnostic tests, with healthcare providers in the region. HealtheConnections governs this health information exchange and provides patient privacy protections, according to Claxton-Hepburn. Patients must provide their consent for participating providers to access their information.

In the past, providers had to spend time tracking down this information from other health care providers.

Without an individual’s consent, providers cannot access HealtheConnections except in life-threatening emergencies. You can still elect to not participate in HealtheConnections even in a life-threatening emergency. At Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, people can participate or decline when they register for care, and can change their minds regarding your participation at any time.

A list of participating healthcare providers is at www.healtheconnections.org.

More info: Amy Robinson, 713-6703.