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Father Bob Allen Charitable Clinic Integrates with SHARE HIE to Improve Care for the Uninsured in Union County, Arkansas

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Little Rock, Arkansas- June 2025            Father Bob Allen Charitable Clinic, a nonprofit serving low-income, uninsured adults in Union County, Arkansas, has joined the State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE), the state’s only statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE). This integration is a powerful step forward in the clinic’s mission to deliver compassionate, accessible, and coordinated healthcare to the community.

The clinic provides a wide range of services including primary care, routine lab work, EKGs, diabetes education, weight loss programs, annual wellness visits, and a vital prescription assistance program available to both clinic and non-clinic patients. By connecting to SHARE, the clinic now has secure, real-time access to patients’ clinical histories, hospitalizations, labs, and medications—enabling more informed care and stronger patient outcomes.

 “Connecting to SHARE has expanded our ability to care for the whole patient,” said Holly Monroe, Director of the Father Bob Allen Charitable Clinic. “We now have insights into their recent hospital visits, labs, and medications—information that helps us avoid duplication and provide more effective, continuous care, especially for those with chronic conditions.”

Through this integration, the clinic has:

  • Strengthened care coordination with local hospitals and specialists.
  • Enhanced medication assistance, ensuring safe and timely prescriptions.
  • Reduced care gaps through real-time alerts on ER and inpatient discharges.
  • Improved chronic disease management by accessing lab results and treatment histories across providers.

By joining SHARE HIE, the Father Bob Allen Charitable Clinic is not only improving patient care within its own walls but also building a healthier, more connected healthcare system across South Arkansas. Their leadership shows that even small, community-based clinics can make a big impact through the power of health information exchange.

About Father Bob Allen Charitable Clinic: Father Bob Allen Charitable Clinic is a nonprofit medical clinic that serves uninsured low-income patients in Union County, AR. We provide primary medical care, routine lab work, medication assistance, diabetes education, weight loss programs, annual wellness visits, EKGs, and more. Our prescription assistance program is available to both clinic and non-clinic patients, therefore, we can assist qualifying adults with a prescription program no matter their provider.

Learn more: https://sharefoundation.com/fbacc/fbacc-home

Improving In-Home Care with Data: LHC Group Joins SHARE HIE Network

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Little Rock, Arkansas- May 2025               LHC Group, a leading national provider of in-home healthcare services, has officially gone LIVE with SHARE, Arkansas’s statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE). This milestone marks a significant advancement in care coordination, enabling LHC Group’s home health, homecare, palliative and hospice locations across Arkansas to seamlessly access and share critical patient data in real-time.

By integrating with SHARE HIE, LHC Group clinicians can now view hospitalizations, ED visits, lab results, and other key clinical data directly through the Virtual Health Record (VHR). This connectivity supports faster care transitions, reduces unnecessary readmissions, and improves patient outcomes—especially for patients managing chronic conditions or recovering at home after hospitalization.

“Connecting to SHARE HIE has been a game-changer for our team at Elite Home Health in Fort Smith. We now have real-time access to critical clinical information that helps us deliver faster, safer, and more informed care to our patients. This integration strengthens our ability to coordinate with hospitals and providers throughout the region, ensuring that no detail is missed in a patient’s journey toward healing at home.” — Tressa Johnson, RN, HCS-O, Executive Director, Elite Home Health Fort Smith

LHC Group operates a comprehensive network of home health, hospice, and community-based service locations across Arkansas. These facilities are strategically situated to serve patients statewide, including in cities such as Little Rock, Hot Springs, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, Conway, Pine Bluff, Benton, Fayetteville, Springdale, Searcy, El Dorado, Texarkana, Harrison, Batesville, Russellville, Mountain Home, Camden, and Paragould.

With locations in communities across the state, LHC Group’s commitment to interoperability ensures that patients receive high-quality, informed care wherever they are. This collaboration underscores the power of data sharing in advancing value-based care and enhancing the patient experience.

“Having access to SHARE HIE has truly elevated how we care for our patients in northern Arkansas. Whether it’s a recent hospitalization, lab result, or specialist note, our nurses can now see the full picture. It’s not just about timely care—it’s about delivering the right care at the right time. This connection helps us close gaps and personalize each care plan with confidence.”— Andrea Miller, RN, Executive Director, Elite Home Health – Mountain Home, Salem, Batesville

Each location is committed to delivering personalized, high-quality care tailored to the unique needs of its community. For instance, Elite Home Health in Little Rock offers a range of services including skilled nursing, physical therapy, and chronic disease management. Similarly, South Arkansas Home Health in El Dorado provides comprehensive home healthcare services, emphasizing patient-centered care.   These locations are now integrated with SHARE, Arkansas’s statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE), enhancing real-time data sharing and care coordination across the state. This integration ensures that clinicians have immediate access to critical patient information, facilitating seamless transitions between care settings and improving overall patient outcomes.

“At Northwest Home Health, we serve a diverse and growing region, and timely information is key to providing high-quality care. Our connection to SHARE HIE allows us to stay informed about our patients’ hospital visits, test results, and treatment updates—often before they even return home. This level of insight empowers our team to be proactive, responsive, and truly patient-centered in everything we do.” — Tina Hill, Executive Director, Northwest Home Health

About LHC Group, Inc.- LHC Group, Inc. is a leading national provider of in-home healthcare services, offering quality, value-based care to patients primarily within the comfort and privacy of their homes. Founded in 1994 as a single home health agency in small-town America, LHC Group has grown to deliver home health, hospice, and home- and community-based services across 38 states and the District of Columbia, reaching 68 percent of the U.S. population aged 65 and older.

The company’s mission is to provide exceptional care and unparalleled service to patients and families who have placed their trust in them. Their vision is to improve the quality of life in the United States by transforming the delivery of healthcare services. LHC Group is the preferred in-home healthcare partner for more than 400 leading hospitals around the country, helping to seamlessly transition patients from acute to post-acute settings, reduce avoidable readmissions, and improve clinical outcomes.  

In 2022, LHC Group became part of Optum, a division of UnitedHealth Group, to further expand its patient-centered mission and help drive best care practices across the country.  

Learn more about LHC Group locations in Arkansas: https://lhcgroup.com/location-listings/

Use Case: How SHARE Helped Intervene Before a Life-Threatening Line Infection in a Pediatric Patient

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Jane Sneed, M.D. – The Children’s Clinic, a primary care pediatrician in Jonesboro, Arkansas, shared a powerful example of how the SHARE Health Information Exchange (HIE), Arkansas’ only statewide HIE, plays a critical role in safeguarding vulnerable pediatric patients. This case involved a young child with complex medical needs: a history of prolonged hospitalization at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, short bowel syndrome, a central line for medications and nutrition, and an NG tube for feedings. The child comes from a young, resource-limited family with poor medical compliance—missed appointments, unreliable follow-up, and difficulty accessing necessary therapies and home health services.

Historically, this family only responded to outreach from the clinic and did not initiate follow-up care, even after being advised to do so by emergency departments (EDs). In situations like these, without a proactive system in place, critical follow-up care could easily fall through the cracks.

Fortunately, Dr. Sneed’s clinic is connected to SHARE HIE. They have a dedicated team member who reviews SHARE reports every weekday, receiving timely alerts on hospital discharges and ER visits for all their patients. On a Tuesday morning, the clinic received a SHARE alert indicating that this child had visited a nearby ER on Monday Night with a fever—a red flag for any patient with a central line due to the risk of bloodstream infections.

Upon reviewing the ER clinical summary through SHARE, Dr. Sneed noted that while the child had been diagnosed with an ear infection and discharged on oral antibiotics, the lab results included abnormal values and a pending blood culture. Based on this information, Dr. Sneed’s team immediately contacted the family and scheduled an urgent follow-up visit for that afternoon.

As part of their internal protocol, the clinic nurse checked the status of the blood culture shortly before the patient arrived—and discovered it had turned positive for infection earlier that morning. Despite this, the ER had not contacted the family to report the result or initiate follow-up care.

Thanks to the SHARE alert and proactive monitoring, Dr. Sneed’s clinic was able to act before the child became septic. He was immediately transferred to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where he received IV antibiotics for two weeks and had his central line replaced due to infection. Early intervention prevented a potentially life-threatening situation.

This case highlights how SHARE enables providers to close dangerous gaps in care—especially for high-risk, medically complex, and socially vulnerable patients.

Benefits of Using SHARE HIE in Day-to-Day Patient Care:

  • Real-Time Alerts: Providers receive timely notifications of hospitalizations, ER visits, and discharges, enabling proactive outreach and follow-up care.
  • Comprehensive Clinical Summaries: Access to lab results, radiology reports, discharge summaries, and progress notes—even when care is delivered outside the clinic—supports more informed, coordinated care.
  • Improved Care for Non-Compliant or High-Risk Families: SHARE enables providers to intervene even when patients do not follow through with post-discharge instructions or appointments.
  • Enhanced Workflow: Clinical and support staff can quickly access needed documentation through SHARE, reducing the burden of chasing down records via fax or phone calls.
  • Better Outcomes: Early identification of abnormal findings, as in this case, allows for timely treatment and prevention of complications such as sepsis.
  • Collaborative Care: SHARE supports integration and communication among PCPs, specialists, hospitals, home health agencies, and behavioral health providers assuring everyone on the care team has access to the same information.
  • Compliance with 21st Century Cures Act: Ensures data sharing requirements are met while advancing interoperability goals that benefit patients and providers alike.

Dr. Sneed’s experience is a clear demonstration of how SHARE HIE helps primary care-pediatrician providers deliver safer, smarter, and more responsive care, especially for the most vulnerable patients in our communities.

About The Children’s Clinic

The Children’s Clinic of Jonesboro was founded by Dr. Charles Kemp in 1959 and is one of the most longstanding pediatric clinics in the state of Arkansas. Over the years, the clinic has constantly grown and evolved to better meet the needs of the families they serve. The clinic has a daily walk-in clinic on Monday-Friday and on Saturday mornings. Additionally, they provide care to a large population of children with complex health care needs.

Learn more: https://jbrkids.com

SHARE HIE: Keeping Patients Connected—Tammy Barnett’s Story

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How Real-Time Health Information Exchange Transformed One Patient’s Experience

Tammy Barnett never imagined that a simple visit to her daughter’s church in Little Rock, Arkansas, would turn into a life-changing moment. A sudden fall left her with a broken shoulder and arm, leading to an Emergency Department (ED) visit in Little Rock. What she didn’t expect was how quickly her primary care provider (PCP) in Harrison—more than 100 miles away—would be notified and ready to support her recovery.

Tammy’s health journey is already complex. She has multiple co-morbidities that require ongoing medical management, making seamless communication between her care providers even more critical. Thanks to SHARE HIE’s real-time event notifications, Tammy’s care team at North Arkansas Medical Center (NARMC) Primary Care Clinic was instantly alerted to her ED visit. The very next day, she received an unexpected yet comforting phone call from her PCP’s office. They weren’t just checking in, they were actively involved, ensuring she understood her treatment plan and had everything she needed for a smooth recovery.

“I was shocked to hear from my PCP so quickly,” Tammy recalled. “I had just been to the ED in Little Rock, and before I even had a chance to reach out, my doctor already knew and was checking in on me.” said Tammy Barnett*

Given her pre-existing health conditions, proactive and coordinated care is essential. A week later, Tammy underwent orthopedic surgery in Little Rock. Again, SHARE HIE played a vital role. As soon as her procedure was complete, another notification was sent to her care team back in Harrison. Without missing a beat, her clinic reached out to schedule a follow-up visit, ensuring a seamless transition from hospital to home-based recovery.

Managing multiple health conditions can be overwhelming, but Tammy didn’t have to navigate it alone. SHARE HIE ensured that all members of her care team remained informed and engaged throughout her recovery. This level of real-time collaboration wouldn’t have been possible without SHARE, which breaks down communication barriers and ensures that patients like Tammy are never lost in the shuffle of fragmented healthcare systems.

Tammy’s story is a powerful reminder of how real-time health data can transform patient care, provide reassurance, improve outcomes, and strengthen the bond between patients and providers.

With SHARE HIE, healthcare isn’t just reactive, it’s connected, compassionate, and always one step ahead.

* Tammy Barnett has graciously allowed SHARE to use her health information in this example in accordance with the Health Insurance Potability and Accountability Act of 1996.

Health Data Utility as Public Health Capability: Arkansas SHARE Case Study

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By Alan Katz, Associate Director of Advocacy & Public Policy, Civitas Networks for Health  

ABSTRACT—Over the past decade, a combination of federal, state, and private-sector investment has rapidly transitioned Arkansas’ health data infrastructure from legacy paper formats to electronic health record (EHR) platforms now present in over 90% of outpatient physician practices and 96% of the acute care hospitals in the state. To help manage and further advance this transition in public interest, the Arkansas State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE) was established as the state’s official health information exchange (HIE) by a 2011 statute. Now under the Arkansas Department of Health, SHARE has steadily worked to broaden its statewide capabilities beyond point-to-point clinical data sharing to reduce barriers within and between public health agencies to maximize efficiency and improve outcomes. In doing so, it has become one of the nation’s leading functional examples of the health data utility (HDU) model.

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In 2011, the Arkansas legislature created the Arkansas Office of Health Information Technology (OHIT) with a mission to “obtain the maximum potential value from the investment of federal and state resources to increase the use of health information technology” and to further “the coordination of health information technology throughout Arkansas.”[1] The same legislation established Arkansas State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE) as the state’s official health information exchange for “effective communication…among hospitals, payers, employers, pharmacies, laboratories, and other health care entities” that creates “the ability to monitor community health status” and realize “efficiencies in health care costs.” [2] A year after the bill became law, SHARE launched the original version of its direct messaging service for providers, and a few months later, SHARE’s clinical records platform had its first major partner in North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC).

Today, NARMC is one of 118 hospitals statewide that participate in SHARE’s network alongside over 3,400 other clinical facilities contributing data and more than 900 facilities receiving data.[3] The information is contributed, processed, and received in the form of dozens of deliverables and analytic products across SHARE’s portfolio. The primary HIE platform incorporates a virtual health record (VHR), direct secure messaging, public health reporting to include (bi-directional immunization reporting, electronic lab reporting (ELR), syndromic surveillance reporting, cancer registry and electronic case reporting (eCR) health plan clinical data delivery, admission-discharge-transfer (ADT) and hospital readmission notifications, Foster Care custody change reports, and laboratory reports, among other functions. Hospitalization reports and continuity of care documentation (CCD) services also exist as independent options. From a baseline of just under a quarter of Arkansas’ office-based physicians who had adopted at least a simple EHR system in 2011[4], SHARE, in concert with the HITECH Act’s meaningful use incentive payments, has helped catalyze and consolidate a system in which over 90% of office-based physicians have done so.[5]

These services are developed and implemented through SHARE’s extensive technology partnerships with the private sector in Arkansas and beyond. This has created a unique and dynamic outlet for health IT innovation that ensures modern technologies and applications can be rapidly integrated into the state’s health system for the benefit of providers, patients, and other stakeholders. SHARE likewise works closely with public sector authorities outside OHIT to improve health IT access and efficiency for essential services, including a longstanding integration with Arkansas Medicaid. In addition SHARE works with Commercial Health Plans, Arkansas PASSE’s – Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entities, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Arkansas Department of Corrections, and the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), while having connections to all 94 of the state’s county-based Local Health Units.[6] Additionally, OHIT has partnered with the UUAMS Biomedical Informatics Department to allow fellows to rotate through SHARE to understand health information exchange and interoperability efforts happening statewide. Each fellow rotates for a four-week period and can select an additional rotation as an election in the fellowship.

SHARE has demonstrated considerable progress towards interoperability through its scale and scope of operations. As the network continues to grow and evolve, a key question is whether the HIE label is still the best structural paradigm for SHARE—or whether the complex, multi-layered and blended public-private infrastructure that SHARE maintains is better understood as something newer. How providers, payers, patients, and policymakers conceptualize the fundamental role of the statewide health data system is critical to how it operates and to whom it is ultimately responsible.

Consistent with nationwide trends in expanding public and nonprofit HIE capabilities, SHARE is best characterized as an emerging health data utility (HDU) by virtue of its central governance position for multiple overlapping health data use cases in the state and its role as an accessible resource at the community level across Arkansas.[7] The functional transformation from HIE to HDU is most evident in the broader public health space, where recent SHARE initiatives are focused on leveraging its broad reach and technical depth to keep driving systemic modernization at Arkansas’ public health authorities (PHAs) and strengthening their linkages to SHARE at the same time.

Several items within SHARE’s public health portfolio represent this functional transformation from HIE to HDU. Externally, SHARE provides ADH’s exclusive connection to the eHealth Exchange national network, which among other services gives SHARE access to the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) Informatics Messaging Services (AIMS). Participation in a national network while maintaining local trust networks is just one of many key characteristics of emerging HDUs. AIMS is the nation’s premier information exchange network for public health labs, including ADH’s Baker Public Health Lab, and connects to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Arkansas hospitals on AIMS that also contribute data to SHARE. Operationally, this means that SHARE is interposed between these entities and AIMS and consequently has responsibility for ensuring the “data hygiene” and standards compliance of electronic lab reports that flow out from Arkansas to the AIMS network—and to the CDC’s National Syndromic Surveillance System.

SHARE’s position at this central nexus between providers and public health authorities has also made it the de factostate “utility” for ongoing digitization efforts and related systemic upgrades. No less than 70 different EMR platforms statewide currently exchange data with SHARE, each of which must be able to seamlessly connect to the network for their respective facilities and organizations to reap the benefits of interoperability. Lack of fully-standardized data elements and diverse technical specifications are persistent barriers—but in many cases (especially public sector use cases), the SHARE team starts from a lack of any data elements whatsoever. Newborn screening at the hospital (the “heel spot” blood test) is a foundational public health service for identifying a wide range of congenital conditions early, and by 2021 ADH had achieved a 98% screening rate for the 31 conditions tested.[8] The problem to date is that all those lab results have been transmitted via fax, limiting their integration with the rest of ADH’s health information, the national networks, and SHARE’s own systems. Similarly, prior to 2023, a large segment of the agency’s 26 disease registries[9] and associated information were partially or fully running on paper or otherwise unconnected, requiring providers to fax or call in required disease reporting information. For EMS responders seeking to collect and upload data to a central HIE platform, no mechanism exists at all.

Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, SHARE has moved quickly and intently to address each of these significant gaps in the system. Working in close collaboration with ADH as well as several of the state’s leading hospital systems[10], registries for infectious disease, maternal mortality, birth defects, traumatic brain injury, and other conditions have been digitized and linked to core components of SHARE’s virtual health record (VHR) and HIE platform infrastructure. Other registries that are already electronic—those for electronic laboratory reporting (ELR), cancer registry, syndromic surveillance, and immunization reporting—are being streamlined through SHARE integration with an emphasis on reducing interfaces which in turn saves the healthcare entities money and time.  Applying best practices that were scaled rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the system allows state epidemiologists and Local Health Unit staff to seamlessly access data that includes real-time tracking, demographic information, and monthly updates.

In late 2024, SHARE began piloting the transition from fax machines to electronic lab reports for newborn screening with Arkansas Children’s Hospital, its Epic EHR provider, and the Arkansas Public Health Lab. The initiative is currently finishing its “test monitoring phase” and preparing to go live this year; shortly thereafter, the SHARE team expects to expand the work to other hospitals on the Epic system followed by hospitals contracting with other vendors. At the same time, SHARE is building the state’s first digital platform for real-time EMS data integration with providers through its own infrastructure. The new service has begun in the trial stage as a partnership between ADH, SHARE, and several private ambulance providers to combine alerts, access to continuity of care documents (CCDs), and other parts of the SHARE portfolio centered on its MPI and eCR capabilities. Enabling consolidated reports on patients who were transported and treated in EDs or as inpatients vs those who were not transported after an EMS call will be particularly valuable for primary care follow-up and coordination—which will also be facilitated by SHARE’s HIE platform.

SHARE has also made a priority of continuing to deepen connections between state agencies and sub-agencies that manage health and health-related data as a matter of government and network efficiency, modeling HDUs’ role as key arbiters within the public health enterprise. Among the foremost recent examples of this imperative is its project to integrate beneficiary data from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) into other clinical and non-clinical data streams under different divisions of ADH, particularly Medicaid. WIC is administered at the federal level by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, while ADH manages the funding for the state and county Local Health Units deliver the program benefits (healthy food, breastfeeding and nutrition support, and care referrals). Pregnant and postpartum women and young children are automatically eligible if they are already enrolled in Medicaid or SNAP.[11]

Despite this large pool of potential beneficiaries, only 53.5% of eligible people nationwide are enrolled in WIC[12] and Arkansas total utilization rate of 35% in late 2021 placed it lowest in the country, below neighboring Mississippi (46.6%), Texas (49.6%), and Oklahoma (51.7%).[13] In response, SHARE led an effort to maximize value and the impact of WIC dollars for the highest-need Arkansans by cross-referencing data on Medicaid enrollment and relevant clinical-demographic indicators (postpartum status, children under age 5, A1C level, BMI) from its master patient index to identify potential WIC beneficiaries. Building on secure data flagging and patient matching processes that it used to connect ARHOME to providers and patients during the 2023 Medicaid redetermination process,[14] SHARE has successfully assisted ADH and Local Health Units with targeted outreach to eligible Medicaid beneficiaries and allow ADH staff to expedite their WIC enrollment.

Conclusion

The transformation of SHARE from a traditional Health Information Exchange (HIE) to a fully operational Health Data Utility (HDU) marks a watershed moment in Arkansas’ journey toward modernizing its public health infrastructure. This evolution is not merely a technological upgrade—it represents a strategic overhaul aimed at creating a dynamic, data-centric ecosystem that connects healthcare providers, public health agencies, and community services in unprecedented ways.

At its core, SHARE’s transition underscores the power of statewide interoperability. By linking diverse data systems and fostering public-private partnerships, Arkansas has built a robust framework that ensures critical health information is accessible and actionable. This seamless integration supports real-time data sharing across multiple sectors, allowing for rapid responses to public health emergencies and enhancing day-to-day care coordination. In practical terms, the digitization of registries and the enhanced integration of EMS data have filled longstanding gaps in data accessibility, resulting in more coordinated and efficient public health responses.

Moreover, SHARE’s forward-thinking approach extends beyond technical enhancements. Strategic initiatives, such as modernizing newborn screening protocols and streamlining disease surveillance, illustrate commitment to proactive, data-driven public health measures. By leveraging sophisticated analytics and targeted outreach strategies—such as those supporting WIC enrollments, SHARE is not only improving operational efficiency but also driving tangible improvements in population health outcomes and the health of Arkansans. These efforts underscore how advanced health data utilities can transform raw information into strategic insights that guide policy decisions and clinical practices.

Looking ahead, as SHARE continues to expand its capabilities and integrate even more deeply with public health and social services, it is setting a national benchmark for systemic modernization. Its holistic approach—combining advanced technology, strategic partnerships, and targeted public health initiatives—demonstrates the potential for HDU functionality to drive systemic change. By harnessing comprehensive data to inform decision-making, SHARE is helping to create a more resilient and responsive healthcare ecosystem, one that not only addresses immediate public health needs but also lays the groundwork for long-term improvements in care coordination and community well-being.

Learn more by visiting the SHARE website.

References:

[1] Arkansas Code Annotated. § 25-43-809. Office of Health Information Technology—Creation—Purpose—Policy. Available: A.C.A. § 25-43-809

[2] Arkansas Code Annotated. § 25-43-812. State Health Alliance for Records Exchange—Duties. Available: https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-25/chapter-43/subchapter-8/section-25-43-812/

[3] SHARE: State Health Alliance for Records Exchange. Available: https://sharearkansas.com/

[4] Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. “Health IT State Summary—Arkansas.” 20 February 2015. Available: https://dashboard.healthit.gov/quickstats/widget/state-summaries/AR.pdf

[5] SHARE: State Health Alliance for Records Exchange. “What is SHARE.” Available: https://sharearkansas.com/about/about-share/

[6] SHARE: State Health Alliance for Records Exchange. “Which Providers are Using SHARE.” https://sharearkansas.com/our-progress/who-shares/

[7] SHARE: State Health Alliance for Records Exchange. “The Value of SHARE-ing Health Information.” 26 June 2024. Available: https://sharearkansas.com/2024/06/26/the-value-of-share-ing-health-information/

[8] Arkansas Department of Health. “Newborn Screening.” Available: https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/community-family-child-health/newborn-screening/

[9] Arkansas Department of Health. Data, Statistics, and Registries. Available: https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/data-statistics-registries/

[10] SHARE: State Health Alliance for Records Exchange. “UAMS IDHI Brain Injury Program Emphasizes Value of SHARE Hospitalization Alerts: Raising the Quality of Care While Providing Long-Term Care.” Available: https://sharearkansas.com/2024/05/20/uams-idhi-brain-injury-program-emphasize-value-of-share-hospitalization-alerts-raising-the-quality-of-care-while-providing-long-term-care/

[11] USDA Food and Nutrition Service. “WIC Eligibility Requirements—Am I Eligible.” Available: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/applicant-participant/eligibility#:~:text

[12] Neuberger, Zoe. “WIC Coordination with Medicaid and SNAP.” Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. 8 October 2024. Available: https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/wic-coordination-with-medicaid-and-snap-1

[13] USDA Food and Nutrition Service. “National and State-Level Estimates of WIC Eligibility and Program Reach in 2021.” Available: https://www.fns.usda.gov/research/wic/eligibility-and-program-reach-estimates-2021

[14] SHARE: State Health Alliance for Records Exchange. “A Newsletter from SHARE—Spring 2023.” Available: https://sharearkansas.com/wp-content/uploads/Spring-2023-SHARE-Newsletter.pdf

Enhancing Healthcare Connectivity in the Arkansas Delta through SHARE Integration at Progressive Health of Helena

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February 2025 In the heart of the Arkansas Delta, Progressive Health of Helena stands as a beacon of accessible, high-quality emergency care. As a designated (REH) Rural Emergency Hospital , the facility has been committed to offering expert emergency services around the clock, with personalized care throughout the rehabilitation process. Now, thanks to a groundbreaking partnership with SHARE (State Health Alliance for Records Exchange) and the integration of their TruBridge EMR system, Progressive Health of Helena has taken a giant leap forward in enhancing interoperability, improving care coordination, and strengthening healthcare delivery in the region.

Connecting Rural Communities to Better Healthcare

The Arkansas Delta, known for its rural landscape and limited access to specialized healthcare services, has long faced challenges in ensuring that patients receive timely and effective medical attention. Progressive Health of Helena, however, has made it their mission to bridge these gaps. The hospital’s integration with SHARE, along with the Helena Medical Group’s Athena EMR system, represents a transformative shift in healthcare delivery. This dual integration allows for a more seamless exchange of health information between providers, ensuring that patients receive the best care possible.

With SHARE’s Health Information Exchange (HIE) now linked with their TruBridge EMR system and Helena Medical Group’s Athena EMR, Progressive Health of Helena can easily share patient data across multiple healthcare organizations. This integration eliminates many of the barriers caused by fragmented health information, allowing physicians, specialists, and emergency care teams to access critical patient data in real-time—regardless of where the patient receives care. Whether a patient visits the emergency room, a primary care physician, or a specialist, the interoperability between these systems ensures smoother transitions of care and better-informed clinical decision-making.

“Our partnership with SHARE HIE is a game-changer for rural healthcare in the Arkansas Delta. By integrating our EMR’s with SHARE, we’re breaking down barriers to patient information, ensuring our providers have real-time access to critical health data. This collaboration allows us to deliver more coordinated, efficient, and high-quality care to the communities we serve.” said Justin Pope, Administrator of Progressive Health of Helena

Benefits to Patients and Healthcare Providers

For patients in the Arkansas Delta, this integration means their health information is no longer siloed. When they seek care at Progressive Health of Helena, their providers can instantly access their medical history, past diagnoses, and medications from multiple sources—including Helena Medical Group’s Athena EMR and other healthcare facilities connected to SHARE HIE. This comprehensive view of a patient’s health reduces the risk of medication interactions, duplicate tests, and treatment delays while promoting a more coordinated and holistic approach to care.

For healthcare providers, this integration enhances efficiency. By linking the TruBridge and Athena EMR systems to SHARE HIE, clinicians spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focused on patient care. The hospital staff can now access up-to-date health records from local physicians, specialists, and other healthcare facilities, ensuring that treatment plans are based on the most accurate and comprehensive data available.

“Seamless access to patient health information is essential for improving outcomes and reducing healthcare disparities in rural areas. Through SHARE HIE, our team can make more informed decisions, enhance patient safety, and streamline care transitions. This integration is a major step forward in advancing the quality and continuity of care at Progressive Health of Helena.” said Janice Pryor, Chief Quality Officer, Risk Manager, and Infection Preventionist of Progressive Health of Helena

The Future of Expanded Collaboration

Progressive Health of Helena’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology with compassionate care is a win for the entire region. By utilizing SHARE HIE to connect both the hospital’s TruBridge EMR and Helena Medical Group’s Athena EMR, the facility is improving healthcare interoperability and setting a standard for rural healthcare providers across Arkansas.

The success of this partnership serves as a model for other rural hospitals, demonstrating that when technology and healthcare providers work together, even the most underserved communities can receive high-quality, coordinated care. As Progressive Health of Helena continues to enhance its services and expand its collaborative network, the hospital is ensuring a healthier, more connected future for the people of the Arkansas Delta.

At Progressive Health of Helena, where expert emergency care and rehabilitation meet cutting-edge technology, the vision is clear: to help patients feel better, live healthier lives, and strengthen the healthcare landscape of the region.

About Progressive Health of Helena

Progressive Health of Helena is a (REH) Rural Emergency Hospital  dedicated to providing expert emergency care 24/7. In addition to emergency services, the facility offers observation services, laboratory testing, outpatient physical therapy, respiratory therapy, speech therapy, and radiology services, including X-rays and ultrasounds. Through strategic partnerships, including SHARE HIE, Progressive Health of Helena enhances care coordination and accessibility, ensuring high-quality healthcare for rural residents.

Learn more: https://www.phghelena.com

deTASO EMR & SHARE HIE – A Hub for Streamlined Interoperability in DD/IDD Care

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January, Little Rock, Arkansas  2025           In a groundbreaking effort to enhance healthcare connectivity and streamline interoperability for providers serving individuals with Developmental Disabilities (DD) and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), deTASO EMR and SHARE Health Information Exchange (HIE) have created a seamless integration hub. This innovative collaboration enables DD/IDD providers to connect more efficiently, ensuring comprehensive and real-time access to critical patient health data across the state of Arkansas.

Creating a Centralized Hub for DD/IDD Providers

deTASO EMR, a leading electronic medical records platform tailored for DD/IDD service providers, has worked closely with SHARE HIE to establish a centralized interoperability hub. This integration allows providers using deTASO to effortlessly connect with SHARE HIE, eliminating data silos and ensuring that critical health information is shared securely and efficiently. The result is a significant enhancement in care coordination, clinical decision-making, and patient outcomes for individuals with DD/IDD.

“At deTASO, our mission is to empower healthcare providers with innovative solutions that enhance patient care and streamline operations. We are committed to delivering technology that not only simplifies workflows but also improves outcomes for the patients and communities our clients serve, that is why partnering with SHARE just makes sense!” Ben Waton, CEO deTASO

Real-Time Alerts Through Active Client Rosters

One of the most impactful features of this partnership is deTASO’s ability to send active client rosters directly to SHARE HIE. By providing a continuously updated list of individuals receiving care, SHARE can monitor and alert providers in real time on all Admission, Discharge, and Transfer (ADT) notifications from hospitals statewide. This proactive approach ensures that DD/IDD providers are immediately informed when their clients are hospitalized, allowing for timely interventions, improved transitions of care, and reduced hospital readmissions.

Enhancing Care Coordination and Communication

With deTASO and SHARE working together, DD/IDD providers now have a more efficient way to track patient movements across various healthcare settings. This level of interoperability supports:

  • Improved Continuity of Care: Providers can quickly access hospital visit details, discharge summaries, and other critical clinical data.
  • Faster Response Times: Real-time ADT alerts empower care teams to respond promptly to hospitalizations or care transitions.
  • Reduced Administrative Burden: Automated data exchanges between deTASO EMR and SHARE HIE minimize manual processes and paperwork, freeing up more time for direct patient care.

Driving Innovation in DD/IDD Healthcare

The partnership between deTASO and SHARE represents a major step forward in leveraging technology to support individuals with DD/IDD. By creating a streamlined, fully integrated network, this collaboration ensures that providers can make informed decisions, improve care outcomes, and enhance the overall healthcare experience for this vulnerable population.

Through the creation of a robust interoperability hub, deTASO and SHARE are revolutionizing how DD/IDD providers access and exchange health information. This highlights the power of collaboration in healthcare technology and sets the stage for continued advancements in patient-centered care. As deTASO and SHARE continue to innovate, DD/IDD providers and their clients stand to benefit from a more connected, responsive, and efficient healthcare ecosystem.

About deTASO:

deTASO is a practice management software solution created to help their clients manage their practice more effectively and efficiently. deTASO offers a suite of applications designed to help you manage every facet of your business.

These applications include: Therapy, ABA, Developmental Preschool/Early Intervention, Adult Day, Waiver, Occupational Behavioral Health (OBH), Admin, and Billing. deTASO is a solution that is simple to use. This suite of applications is built around Intake, Scheduling, Therapy Notes, and Accounts Receivable.

deTASO also offers an HR, payroll, and staff management component. This software includes all industry reports and greatly reduces the stress and frustration of owning or managing a growing business. All their applications are 100% HIPAA Compliant.

Learn more: https://www.detaso.com

SHARE HIE Integrates with Modernizing Medicine EMA EMR to Enhance Interoperability & MIPS Metrics for Arkansas Dermatology

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 January, Little Rock, Arkansas  2025           In an era where healthcare data accessibility and quality measures drive better patient outcomes, SHARE Health Information Exchange (HIE) has taken a significant step forward by integrating with Modernizing Medicine’s EMA EMR platform. This integration marks a milestone for Arkansas Dermatology, enabling seamless data exchange, improved clinical workflows, and enhanced Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) metrics compliance.

Challenge: Arkansas Dermatology, a leading provider of dermatologic care in the state, faced interoperability challenges that limited real-time access to patient health records from various healthcare providers. With dermatology often requiring coordinated care with primary care physicians, oncologists, and other specialists, the absence of a comprehensive data-sharing solution hindered efficiency and care coordination. Additionally, the practice sought to optimize its performance in MIPS reporting to maximize Medicare reimbursements and improve quality of care.

Solution: To address these challenges, Arkansas Dermatology partnered with SHARE HIE to integrate its Modernizing Medicine EMA EMR platform. This collaboration enabled:

  • Real-time Data Exchange: Dermatologists can now access critical patient information, including medication histories, lab results, and prior diagnoses, ensuring informed decision-making at the point of care.
  • Streamlined Workflow Efficiency: Clinicians can retrieve hospital discharge summaries and specialty referrals from SHARE HIE, reducing administrative burdens and improving productivity.
  • Enhanced MIPS Reporting: The integration supports automated data submission for MIPS quality measures, helping Arkansas Dermatology meet compliance requirements, improve patient outcomes, and optimize Medicare reimbursements.
  • Improved Care Coordination: With seamless interoperability, dermatologists can collaborate more effectively with referring providers, ensuring continuity of care for patients with complex skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, and skin cancers.

Impact: Since implementing the integration, Arkansas Dermatology has reported significant improvements in both operational efficiency and patient care outcomes. The ability to access comprehensive patient histories through SHARE HIE has:

  • Reduced duplicate testing and unnecessary procedures,
  • Decreased administrative time spent on record retrieval,
  • Improved documentation accuracy for MIPS reporting, and
  • Enhanced overall patient experience through more personalized and timely care.

“The integration of SHARE HIE with our EMA EMR platform has been a game-changer for our practice. It has streamlined our workflows, improved patient data accessibility, and made MIPS reporting much more efficient. This partnership has truly enhanced our ability to provide high-quality care while optimizing our billing and compliance processes.” – Kemmie Thomas, CPC, Billing Manager, Arkansas Dermatology

The successful integration of SHARE HIE with Modernizing Medicine EMA EMR is a game-changer for Arkansas Dermatology. By leveraging a robust HIE network, the practice has achieved a new level of interoperability, streamlined MIPS compliance, and improved patient-centered care. This success story highlights the transformative power of health information exchange in advancing dermatology practice efficiency and quality outcomes across Arkansas.

About Arkansas Dermatology:

Arkansas Dermatology is a leading provider of comprehensive skin care, offering expert diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of dermatological conditions. With multiple locations across the state, their experienced team of board-certified dermatologists, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners is dedicated to delivering personalized, high-quality care. Whether addressing skin cancer concerns, treating chronic skin conditions, or providing cosmetic dermatology services, Arkansas Dermatology prioritizes patient well-being with a commitment to excellence. Their state-of-the-art facilities and advanced treatment options ensure that every patient receives the best possible care in a welcoming and professional environment. Arkansas Dermatology has 11 convenient locations to better serve Arkansas.

Learn more: https://www.arkansasdermatology.com

Fort Smith ER & Hospital Enhances Patient Care and Coordination Through SHARE HIE Integration

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 January, Little Rock, Arkansas  2025          Fort Smith ER & Hospital has taken a significant step toward improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes by integrating with the State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE), Arkansas’ statewide health information exchange (HIE). This collaboration reflects the hospital’s dedication to enhancing interoperability and fostering seamless care coordination across the healthcare continuum.

Through SHARE HIE, Fort Smith ER & Hospital now has real-time access to comprehensive patient health records, ensuring clinicians have the critical information they need at the point of care. This includes medical histories, lab results, imaging, medications, and known allergies, allowing for more informed decision-making and reducing the likelihood of redundant tests or errors.

The integration has transformed care coordination by facilitating secure information sharing between the hospital, primary care physicians, specialists, and other healthcare providers involved in a patient’s care journey. One of the most impactful features is SHARE HIE’s automatic notifications to a patient’s primary care provider (PCP) upon hospital discharge. This ensures that PCPs are promptly informed, allowing for timely follow-up care and reducing the risk of readmissions.

“Integrating with SHARE HIE has been a game-changer for our clinical teams. Having immediate access to a patient’s full medical history and ensuring their primary care provider is notified upon discharge allows us to provide more coordinated and effective care. This level of connectivity helps us improve patient outcomes and deliver the kind of seamless care our community deserves.” said Crystal Restine, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Fort Smith ER & Hospital

By embracing health information exchange, Fort Smith ER & Hospital not only optimizes internal workflows but also strengthens its role in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to the community. This successful integration underscores the hospital’s leadership in leveraging technology to create better health outcomes and more efficient healthcare services.

About Fort Smith ER & Hospital:

Get In, Get Out, Get Well!  Fort Smith ER & Hospital is a part of Nutex Health (NASDAQ: NUTX), bringing communities accessible, concierge-level care they can trust. Their founding partners practiced in traditional emergency rooms for years before deciding to branch out and create a better, more comprehensive emergency care experience. Emergency medical care that’s close, convenient, and fast shouldn’t be a luxury reserved only for the rich or those who live in cities. Their facility provides the residents of Sebastian County, and its surrounding communities, including Crawford County, Logan County, Scott County, LeFlore County, and Sequoyah County, the emergency care they deserve by ER physicians with combined decades of experience and top-notch support and technical staff.

Learn more: https://fortsmithhospital.com/services/

ARORA’s Daily Access to SHARE HIE used to Enhanced Organ Donation Processes

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December, Little Rock, Arkansas     The Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency (ARORA) is at the forefront of saving lives through organ and tissue donation. With daily access to SHARE, Arkansas’s statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE), ARORA has transformed its workflows, creating a streamlined, efficient process that enhances the quality and timeliness of care for patients awaiting life-saving transplants.

Streamlined Processes with Real-Time Data Access

ARORA staff leverage SHARE HIE daily to obtain real-time clinical results on potential organ, tissue, and eye donors. By accessing SHARE’s Virtual Health Record (VHR), ARORA can quickly review comprehensive medical histories, lab results, and current diagnoses, which are crucial for assessing donor eligibility and ensuring compatibility with recipients. This instantaneous access eliminates lengthy back-and-forth communications with individual hospitals and specialists, saving valuable time and resources, and accelerating decision-making in critical, time-sensitive situations.

Enhanced Coordination Across Providers

With access to SHARE, ARORA collaborates seamlessly with hospitals, surgical teams, and transplant centers throughout Arkansas. When a donor is identified, SHARE enables quick and secure information sharing with all necessary medical professionals, ensuring everyone involved has the latest clinical data. This cohesive flow of information allows ARORA to ensure that organ recoveries and transplant procedures proceed smoothly, minimizing delays and enhancing the safety and efficiency of the process.

“By leveraging SHARE HIE, we’ve significantly enhanced our coordination with healthcare providers,” adds Amelia Nabholz, Director of Hospital Development at ARORA. “This seamless information flow ensures that every potential donor’s gift is honored efficiently and respectfully, providing comfort to donor families and hope to recipients.”

“Our collaboration with SHARE HIE has been transformative,” says Jeremy Lemmons, Manager of Hospital Development at ARORA. “The real-time access to comprehensive patient data enables us to make swift, informed decisions, ultimately saving more lives through timely organ and tissue donations.”

Improved Outcomes for Recipients and Donors’ Families

Thanks to streamlined processes and real-time data access through SHARE HIE, ARORA has seen significant improvements in the overall success rates of transplants. Faster access to critical information enables better matching of organs with recipients who are in optimal condition to receive them, improving the chances of successful transplantation and long-term health outcomes. Moreover, ARORA can offer reassurance to donors’ families that the process is conducted with the utmost care and professionalism, honoring their loved ones’ wishes in a meaningful way.

Through its access to SHARE HIE, ARORA has not only improved operational efficiency but also elevated the quality of life for organ recipients across Arkansas. By streamlining processes and ensuring timely, accurate data access, ARORA showcases the transformative impact of health information exchange in life-saving medical care.

About ARORA: What They Do and Why

ARORA is a team of nurses, physicians, medical technicians, social workers and administrators orchestrating the amazing medical miracle of the recovery of organs, tissue and eyes for transplantation.

For hundreds of organ transplant recipients each year, ARORA is a bridge to new life. For thousands of tissue transplant recipients every year, ARORA is an agent of restored sight, mobility, ability and freedom from pain. And for families of thousands of organ and tissue donors, ARORA is an agent of healing and meaning.

Learn More: https://arora.org/

Contact Share

Arkansas Department of Health
Arkansas Office of Health Information Technology
1501 North University Ave | Suite 420
Little Rock, AR 72207
501-410-1999
501-978-3940

Mission & Vision

Our vision is a healthier state population and a greatly improved health care system in which caregivers and patients have electronic access to more complete health records and are empowered to make better health decisions with this information.

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