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Health Information Exchange and Care Everywhere
If you are a patient at UI Health, your electronic health information is automatically included in the Care Everywhere health information exchange so that your vital health data can be securely made available to your other providers – no matter where you receive care. The Care Everywhere health information exchange allows clinical staff to electronically exchange patient medical information with other healthcare institutions in a secure manner to better and more efficiently meet your healthcare needs. After UI Health receives your information, health care professionals can review and reconcile allergies, medications, problems, and immunizations in your electronic health record.
What types of information are shared?
Information may include:
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Allergies
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Immunizations
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Diagnoses
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Medications
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Medical History
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Clinical Notes
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Test Results
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Radiology Imaging (CT and MRI)
Who can view this information?
Only health care professionals involved in your care during the visit may view this information.
Does this cost me?
No, this is a free service provided to help healthcare professionals easily access important patient health information to better meet your healthcare needs.
What other organizations can share records?
Care Everywhere will automatically search a radius of 100 miles surrounding UI Health,
while manual search features are available to reach beyond. All organizations using Epic electronic medical record system and many organizations using other types of electronic medical record systems, such as Stroger and the VA, will be able to share records.
What if I do not want to participate?
You or your personal representative may elect to opt-out of health information exchange at any time and without any effect on your access to care at UI Health.
Opting out will prevent your health information from being shared outside of UI Health via health information exchange. However, we may share your health information as permitted by federal and state law.
To obtain more information about opting out, contact the Health Information Management Department:
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By Phone: 312.355.5650
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By Email: privacyoffice@uic.edu
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Or download this form (English Version .pdf) and follow the instructions | Spanish Version (.pdf)
If I opt out of UI Health's exchange, does that mean I have opted out of all outside health information exchanges?
No. Completion of UI Health's opt-out form (.pdf) only prevents UI Health from sharing your health information with the Epic Care Everywhere program, but it does not opt you out of non-UI Health health information exchanges. If you wish to opt-out of another provider's exchange, you are responsible for arranging that accordingly. By opting out of UI Health's exchange, your health information will not be electronically shared by UI Health with outside organizations requesting this information through the health information exchange, but it may be sent to outside health care providers or organizations by other means such as fax or mail if requested by your health care provider.
Can I opt-out of sharing certain types of health information or specific encounters?
No. At this time, if you decide to opt-out of participating in the Care Everywhere health information exchange, none of your information will be shared through our health information exchange. In other words, opting out is an “all or nothing” concept, and you cannot choose particular types of information or specific encounters for electronic exchange and reject others.
For example, if you opt-out of health information exchange because you object to the sharing of your reproductive health records, neither your reproductive health records nor any other type of protected health information will be available for electronic exchange with any other health information exchange participants.
How is my sensitive data protected?
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Outpatient psychotherapy notes and other notes deemed sensitive will not be shared.
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If you visit a clinic or department that deals with sensitive information such as mental health or substance use disorder, you will be asked to sign a special release before any data will be shared.
Why is this important?
Access to important clinical information assists your treating clinicians so that they may easily have all your important information available to them when providing care.
For more information:
- Visit Epic.com/CareEverywhere for a list of organizations participating in Care Everywhere.
- Your Rights Under HIPAA
- UI Health's Notice of Privacy Practice