Louisiana begins linking rural hospitals

Richland Parish Hospital in Delhi, LA, has become the first rural healthcare facility in the state to transmit patient information to a statewide health information exchange. The hospital successfully sent data to the Louisiana Rural Health Information Exchange, which serves as a repository for patient information. The Delhi Hospital transmitted clinical information, patient information and radiological images via Health Level 7 messaging. The ability to consult with a specialist remotely would save a patient in Delhi about a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Shreveport, said hospital representatives.