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Overview

Community health centers, like other health care providers, are expanding their use of health information technology to improve the health and health outcomes of their patients. The League has taken a strong role in assisting health centers as they work to upgrade their health information technology (HIT) systems and capacity for using data, including help with the implementation and management of electronic health records and development of reporting tools for clinical decision making and benchmarking. Within the League, the Health Center Controlled Network (HCCN) leads the promotion of health information technology improvement projects.

What is the HCCN?

The Health Center Controlled Network (HCCN) is a HRSA funded grant program that supports the creation, development, and operation of networks of safety net providers through the enhancement of health center operations, public health and improved efficiency by using including health information technology. The HCCN assists health centers in adopting HIT with a strong focus on management and optimization of complex Electronic Health Record (EHR), practice management and reporting systems. Additionally, the HCCN assists in developing HIT infrastructure that could support the sharing of information between health centers and also with hospitals, primary care associations, local health plans, and state or local health departments.

What services does the HCCN provide?

  • Health IT Implementation and Promoting Interoperability: Increase the use of health IT to improve the quality of care in health centers and improve individual and population health. Activities promote effective use of health IT solutions at all health center sites and attainment of Promoting Interoperability requirements.
  • Data Quality and Reporting: Improve data collection, analysis, and reporting. Activities enhance comprehensive, integrated, high-quality data reporting at all participating health centers.
  • Health Information Exchange (HIE) and Population Health Management: Increase secure electronic data exchange with patients, unaffiliated providers, and organizations to support patient centered health care delivery and support population health managements.
  • Quality Improvement: Advance clinical and operational quality improvements. Activities will improve clinical and financial quality measures and advance PCMH implementation.

Quick Facts

The HCCN of Massachusetts includes 35 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).

The network supports 6 of the top EHR platforms, including:

  • Athena
  • Intergy
  • eCW
  • OCHIN/Epic
  • NextGen
  • GE Centricity