Press Releases
April 18, 2006
Health Care and High-Tech Converge at Conrad Summit
Senator Launches Web Based Database; Announces $325,000 in Health IT Grants
Bismarck -- Hundreds of health care leaders from across the state joined Senator Kent Conrad today for his 2006 Health Information Technology Summit. The half-day event at the University of Mary brought together health care professionals in an effort to broaden the use of new information technology (IT) in hospitals, rural clinics and doctors' offices across North Dakota.
"Health information technology has the potential to improve the quality and reduce the cost of health care in North Dakota and across the nation. We must move towards its full adoption," Senator Conrad said. "I will continue to work to encourage its use throughout North Dakota and across the nation."
Senator Conrad also announced the development of a new National Rural and Underserved Health Information Technology Network. The initiative, which is the result of recommendations from Senator Conrad's Rural Health IT Steering Committee, will serve as a clearinghouse of rural health IT information. Working in partnership with the University of North Dakota, the Network will provide a Web-based portal to national and state health IT resources, education and funding.
Senator Conrad also announced that Blue Cross Blue Shield is providing $325,000 in grants to North Dakota's rural health care providers. The grants are focused on health IT adoption activities.
Health IT involves the use of computer hardware and software to collect and store information electronically to improve communication and better track patient records. Information technology is especially important in rural areas that often lack immediate access to health care. New technologies can help remote clinics share patient information with specialists in other cities. Health IT can also cut down on paperwork errors, such as duplicative tests and medication mix-ups.
Before today's meeting, North Dakota had not yet begun discussing health IT on a broad scale. Senator Conrad's summit brought federal, state and local agencies and industry groups together —for the first time — to develop high-tech medical information systems across North Dakota.
Senator Conrad organized today's summit with North Dakota Health Care Review, Inc., and other groups including the North Dakota Medical Association, the North Dakota Healthcare Association, the University of North Dakota's Center for Rural Health, Gruby Technologies, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.
"Health IT has great potential, but we must move forward with its adoption. And we need to start with addressing the particular needs of rural states such as North Dakota," Senator Conrad said. "Working together, we can develop a system to that can give all North Dakotans access to cutting edge medical care."
