Dr. John Collins, New College Alumnus, To Speak On How Electronic Networks Can Improve Healthcare

HIE is a daunting acronym, but Dr. John Collins says it has a simple message: “Doctors have to exchange information on patients, and we have to do it with something other than fax machines.”
HIE, short for healthcare information exchange, is the subject of the next presentation in the New Topics New College lecture series. Dr. Collins will speak on “Helping Patients With Healthcare Information Exchange,” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, in the Mildred Sainer Pavilion on the Caples Campus of New College of Florida.
Dr. Collins, a 1992 graduate of New College, is board-certified in internal medicine and pediatrics, and is a former chief of staff at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He has been a leader in efforts to get the Sarasota medical community to share information over a health information exchange, a type of electronic network.
Sharing healthcare information electronically can improve quality and promote better outcomes, he said. By having the most up-to-date medical records, doctors can provide more accurate diagnoses and avoid errors. The networks also can prevent doctors from ordering duplicate tests, saving patients money and stress.
“There are ways to stop duplicating tests and make sure physicians have correct information,” Dr. Collins said.
HIEs are in development across Florida; Sarasota was ahead of the curve until some recent setbacks, he said.
Dr. Collins said he hopes his talk can educate people to demand the best from their physicians and legislators: “It’s a pitch for what would be best, and to not accept less.”
Tickets are $15 and are available at donate.ncf.edu/events. Admission is free for New College students, faculty and staff.