CoxHealth joins health records network

CoxHealth took a step toward improving off-site care for its patients by joining a statewide health-focused information technology network.

Through Missouri Health Connection, CoxHealth patient's records and health data will be available to health care members of the network in the event a patient requires health care services when not in Springfield, according to a news release.

"We simply can’t know when we may need the services of an emergency room, hospital or clinic in a non-local city. MHC bridges a gap to bring formerly compartmentalized health records and key information to physicians and caregiver’s throughout southwest Missouri and the state," CoxHealth Vice President and Chief Information Officer Bruce Robison said in the release. "As the MHC network connects to other states, whether traveling locally or afar, our records will be accessible whenever there is a need."

MHC's network comprises 70 Missouri hospitals and more than 350 clinics and community health centers.

CoxHealth employs electronic health records software from Cerner, and in late 2012, the Springfield health system signed a 10-year agreement with the publicly traded company (Nasdaq: CERN) establishing Cerner as CoxHealth's information technology manager, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.