Highmark develops data-share network

The exchange—a data and communications system that allows insurers, hospitals and patients to share patient data electronically—is first being installed at WPAHS hospitals and, soon after, at Butler Health System, Jefferson Regional Medical Center, MedExpress Urgent Care, The Washington Hospital and others. Within two years the system will be made available to physicians and hospitals across the state and in West Virginia, making it the first true statewide data exchange, the companies said. Highmark's exchange, developed by Verizon's Enterprise Solutions unit, will contain the records of millions of patients (supposing they don't opt out of the data exchange).