Seattle – Qualis Health announced today that its health information technology consulting division, Outlook Associates, has been awarded a six-month contract by Orange County Partnership Regional Health Information Organization (OCPRHIO) to provide consulting assistance related to the development of OCPRHIO’s health information exchange strategic plan. This contract will be served by staff and consultants based in Outlook Associates’ office in Tustin, California.
Outlook Associates, which has been active in the development of California’s health information exchange networks, will conduct marketing research and analysis of the community's technological capabilities and willingness to participate in the regional health information exchange. In addition, Outlook Associates will facilitate strategic planning meetings and will collaborate with stakeholders in the development of a business case and framework for deployment of a viable pilot project that electronically connects hospitals, health plans, physician groups, and other healthcare stakeholders.
“We feel that our understanding of the healthcare industry, as well as our broad knowledge of technology, will benefit OCPRHIO as they position themselves for health information exchange,” said Foster C. Beall, Jr., Outlook Associates’ vice president of Consulting Services. “This contract award builds on our unique experience working with Regional Health Information Organizations, providers, and payer organizations to improve the quality and effectiveness of healthcare.”
OCPRHIO is managed by Public Health Foundation Enterprises (PHFE), a nonprofit organization based in California. PHRE believes that a solid governance structure is critical to the success of emerging RHIOs, and has thus developed a set of services designed to incubate and support health information exchange initiatives through fundraising, project design and project management, as well as a legal infrastructure through which to manage the RHIOs’ affairs.
“This strategic planning initiative represents an exciting next step for the Orange County Partnership for RHIO (OCPRHIO)’s efforts in developing a county-wide infrastructure for the exchange of patient data to improve the quality of care in Orange County,” said Katherine Johnson, the director of public development for OCPRHIO. “We are thrilled to be working with Outlook and the Public Health Foundation Enterprises on this important project and invite all members of the healthcare community to participate in this exciting project.”
Outlook Associates was founded in 1991 with the goal of providing quality, ethical consulting services to healthcare organizations across the country. Outlook Associates’ health information technology consultants guide public health clients through streamlined discovery, design, and deployment processes that enable the highest quality integration of data, information systems, and users. Their work contributes to the overall enhancement of national and regional health systems while promoting and supporting the improved health of individuals and communities.
