Frequently Asked Questions

Will LACIE share information with other organizations?
Yes, available medical and demographic information is available to providers that are participants in LACIE and share a treatment relationship with the same patient. LACIE is also a member of eHealth Exchange, a nationwide exchange, which allows the sharing of information with other organizations that are participants in good standing with eHealth Exchange. This includes the Veterans Administration, Department of Defense, other Health Care facilities and providers as well as other Health Information Networks

What types of health information are shared among LACIE participants?
The most common types of health information shared include:

• Demographics
• Problem List/Conditions
• Medications
• Allergies
• Immunizations
• Lab Results
• Microbiology
• Anatomic Pathology Results
• Procedures
• Vital Signs
• History & Physical
• Social History
• Family History
• Plan of Care
• Advanced Directives
• Discharge Summaries
• Clinic Notes
• Therapy Notes
• Radiology/Imaging Reports
• Post-Acute Notes
• Provider Reports
• Visits

Participants may also choose to provide additional information they consider important for other health care providers to know when treating their patients. As standards evolve to meet regulatory or care delivery needs, the types of information shared will evolve as well.

Will health information from medical equipment and devices be shared with LACIE participants?
Yes, LACIE obtains patient health information from the provider’s EMR, if information from equipment and devices are available in the EMR they can also be contributed to LACIE. The information that is shared is determined by each participant.

Who has access to patient information shared by LACIE participants?
Only approved users at organizations that are connected to LACIE are provided with access to patient information. Authorized users must follow all policies and applicable laws such as HIPAA when accessing information. Failure to adhere to data sharing policies can result in removal of the individual or organization from participating as well as civil and criminal penalties.

How secure is patient health information shared by LACIE participants?
All LACIE participants and their employees with access to LACIE must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and must promulgate any internal policies required for such compliance. Only participating health care users who are authorized to view patient health records will have privileges to access LACIE. Routine audits are performed to ensure compliance to applicable laws and user agreements. Additionally, LACIE’s technology vendor uses state-of-the-art technology and processes to keep health information safe and secure at all times.

How do I talk to my patients about sharing their information with LACIE?
Before electronic health information exchange, health care providers exchanged information directly by mail, fax or telephone. These methods are more expensive, time consuming and not secure. HIE allows providers to share information between EHRs. Once the patient is notified of participation in the health information exchange, typically through the Notice of Privacy Practices, nothing else is required to share their information

Can patients choose not to participate in Health Information Exchange?

Yes, patients have the option to not participate in Health Information Exchange by Opting Out. Opting Out does not allow the opting out patient’s information to be shared with providers. An individual may opt out either electronically or through mail by going to the following website https://khap2.kdhe.state.ks.us/public/hie/

Submitting the opt out form will opt the individual out from all approved Health Information Networks in Kansas as well as the majority of Health Information Networks operating in Missouri.