New York Health Records Database Reaches 9 Million Patients

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Nearly 9 million New Yorkers now have health records in a growing database accessible to most of the state's hospitals, health centers, long-term care facilities and nearly one-quarter of physician practices.

The State Health Information Network for New York, fully operational statewide since September, is now used by 62,000 medical providers that pay to connect.

The goal is to have the remaining 10 million New Yorkers consent and add remaining providers to create comprehensive health records that can be searched, helping avoid redundant testing and treatment.

The mostly state-funded project, begun in 2006, is expected to produce savings more than triple the estimated $70 million annual operating cost.

David Whitlinger of the New York eHealth Collaborative, working with the state on SHIN-NY, says insurers may begin using it.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]