QUALITY FORUM, DHH LAUNCH HEALTH CARE CONSUMER SURVEY
Survey Gauges Awareness Of Health Information Technology Among Louisiana Residents

Monday, May 4, 2015 |  Contact: John Ford; (225) 342-9010, jpford@la.gov

Baton Rouge, La - The Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) launched a web-based survey today to gauge Louisiana residents' awareness of health information technology (IT) tools and patients' rights to access personal health information.

The survey is a key factor in a collaborative effort of the Quality Forum and DHH to promote awareness and the use of health IT tools such as electronic health records (EHRs) and patient portals to improve health outcomes and health care decision-making for Louisiana residents. The effort also includes a focus on educating the state's residents about their rights to access and have copies of their personal health information.

The 10-question survey takes less than two minutes to complete and will provide a baseline of existing health IT awareness levels among Louisiana residents. The survey can be found at www.lhcqf.org and will remain active throughout the month of May.

"We believe engaging health care consumers through this survey will help make them aware of the importance of personal health information," said DHH Secretary Kathy H. Kliebert. "Louisianans can use that data to make better lifestyle and health care decisions."

"Countless case studies have consistently shown that patients who are actively engaged in their health care have better outcomes, reduced health care costs and greater satisfaction with the health care experience," said Cindy Munn, Quality Forum CEO. "Louisiana is very fortunate to have a strong health IT infrastructure that can assist our state's health care consumers in becoming more engaged in their care. Louisiana's health care providers have long been engaged in the adoption of health IT to improve the quality of care; now we are focused on educating consumers about the availability of these tools and resources and how to use them to improve their health."

According to Nadine Robin, Health IT Program Director for the Quality Forum, Louisiana is among a small number of states to take such a proactive role in educating health care consumers about health IT and patient rights.

"Our state is boldly recognizing that we can achieve truly positive gains in health outcomes by ensuring that Louisiana's residents have access to and are using the tools necessary to become active participants in their health care," Robin said. "We are very excited about this campaign and pleased to partner with DHH in the effort to promote meaningful patient engagement."

The Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing evidence-based, collaborative initiatives to improve the health of Louisiana residents. Its focus areas include quality measurement and analytics, clinical quality improvement, the patient-centered medical home/care coordination model, outreach/education and health information technology (IT). With regard to health IT, the Quality Forum serves as the State-Designated Entity for the planning, development and administration of the state's health information exchange. For more information, visit www.lhcqf.org.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about DHH, visit www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow DHH's Twitter account and Facebook.

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