The Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) Mainline Health Systems in Southeastern Arkansas which has thirteen clinics that cover 4 counties have increased their mammogram rates by using SHARE (Arkansas Statewide Health Information Exchange).
Despite gains in recent decades, breast cancer screening rates in the United States remain relatively low, especially among the nation’s most vulnerable populations. Providers and nurses across the Mainline Health System have devised strategies to boost screening rates among the economically disadvantaged patients and patients from underserved racial and ethnic groups, as well as among the general population in the Delta Region in Arkansas. 
Mainline Health Systems new effort seeks to increase breast cancer screening rates by eliminating barrier for many women, especially those in vulnerable populations.
If a patient has identified they have received the mammogram at their local hospital, designated staff can log in to SHARE’s Virtual Health Record and pull down the results in real-time.
In order to boost screening rates, Mainline Health System clinics are revisiting its methods for reaching out to patients who are overdue for a mammogram. The traditional approach is to send reminders through the mail, but changes in technology, and in how we use technology, suggest a more fitting option: Simply using SHARE to access real-time information on their patients from around the State of Arkansas regardless of the electronic health records other hospitals or specialist use. Hoping to increase screening participation, Mainline Health System is developing SHARE in its workflow and has proven more effective in getting real-time mammogram results on their patients. This could be especially true for economically disadvantaged patients.
Having access to patient mammograms, labs, and progress notes in real-time has dramatically improved health outcomes in each of their clinics since using SHARE, improving the lives of patients while continuing to increase mammograms in our patients.
About Mainline Health Systems
Mainline Health Systems, a non-profit organization, has provided affordable medical care for the residents of Southeast Arkansas since 1978. From their first office in Portland all those years ago, Mainline Health Systems has grown to thirteen locations serving Arkansas residents in Ashley, Chicot, Drew, and Lincoln counties. Every year, Mainline Health Systems' healthcare professionals treat thousands of patients who either have no insurance or not enough insurance to cover essential health services. We will never deny care to those in need. Mainline Health Systems' mission is to provide compassionate, quality care for everyone, regardless of ability to pay. Mainline Health Systems' financial assistance programs ensure that everyone in the communities who require medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare can receive it. For more information, visit www.mainlinehealth.net
About SHARE
The Arkansas State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE) has over 74 hospitals connected/connecting in Arkansas and 61 hospitals in Oklahoma, 14 hospitals in Missouri and over 1,400 facilities/practices connected. SHARE is a secure, electronic system that allows health care providers, health services professionals and public health authorities in Arkansas to exchange accurate patient medical information in real-time. For more information, visit www.SHAREArkansas.com.
