2015 Connecticut General Statutes
Title 19a - Public Health and Well-Being
Chapter 368ll - Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 19a-904c - Electronic health records systems; utilization by hospitals.

(a) For purposes of this section:

(1) “Electronic health record” means any computerized, digital or other electronic record of individual health-related information that is created, held, managed or consulted by a health care provider and may include, but need not be limited to, continuity of care documents, discharge summaries and other information or data relating to patient demographics, medical history, medication, allergies, immunizations, laboratory test results, radiology or other diagnostic images, vital signs and statistics;

(2) “Electronic health record system” means a computer-based information system that is used to create, collect, store, manipulate, share, exchange or make available electronic health records for the purpose of the delivery of patient care;

(3) “Health care provider” means any individual, corporation, facility or institution licensed by the state to provide health care services; and

(4) “Secure exchange” means the exchange of patient electronic health records between a hospital and a health care provider in a manner that complies with all state and federal privacy requirements, including, but not limited to, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-191) (HIPAA), as amended from time to time.

(b) Each hospital licensed under chapter 368v shall, to the fullest extent practicable, use its electronic health records system to enable bidirectional connectivity and the secure exchange of patient electronic health records between the hospital and any other health care provider who (1) maintains an electronic health records system capable of exchanging such records, and (2) provides health care services to a patient whose records are the subject of the exchange. The requirements of this section apply to at least the following: (A) Laboratory and diagnostic tests; (B) radiological and other diagnostic imaging; (C) continuity of care documents; and (D) discharge notifications and documents.

(c) Each hospital shall implement the use of any hardware, software, bandwidth or program functions or settings already purchased or available to it to support the secure exchange of electronic health records and information as described in subsection (b) of this section.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a hospital to pay for any new or additional information technology, equipment, hardware or software, including interfaces, where such additional items are necessary to enable such exchange.

(e) The failure of a hospital to take all reasonable steps to comply with this section shall constitute evidence of health information blocking pursuant to section 19a-904d.

(f) A hospital that connects to, and actively participates in, the State-wide Health Information Exchange, established pursuant to section 17b-59d shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of this section.

(P.A. 15-146, S. 24.)