Technology in aging services progresses

CAST UPDATE FROM MINNESOTA

A few months ago, the Minnesota AAHSA affiliate created and broadly distributed a Request for Proposals for an aging services technology initiative that would actively engage its members with technology companies and universities to expand the use of available technologies. They have received several proposals, and many provider members have volunteered to be demonstration sites.

Minnesota has also reached an agreement in which 10 to 20 aging service members will be given access to the state’s health information exchange system. This will enable aging service providers to have access to comprehensive resident EHRs even if they themselves do not yet have an interoperable EHR system. Participating aging services providers have had the opportunity to preview the electronic information available through the system. They were thrilled with the richness of the information and more fortified in their conviction about the value of health information exchange.