Thank you for your interest in the Health Information Network of South Texas (HINSTX).  The HINSTX is dedicated to improving health care throughout the South Texas region through health information exchange.  You can read more about our Network on our  About  Us page.

The HINSTX is working towards helping doctors, hospitals and other health care providers connect their computer-based patient record systems to a protected community network.  This network will be  used to securely share information for patient care amongst health care professionals which helps them provide you with better quality care.  Additionally, the information is shared in a more protected way than paper-based files, faxes and mail.

When It Comes to Your Health, Time Matters

Each year in the United States, there are more than 900 million doctor office visits. And for each one of those office visits, whether you are an established patient or not, you generally are asked to fill out the same paper forms that you filled out on your last visit.

What if your physician had secure access to your personal health information and your benefit eligibility information? What if your physician had the ability to share that information, with consent, with other health care providers to ensure quality and continuity of care? That is possible with secure electronic health information exchange.

What Is Health Information Exchange?

Health information exchange is a method to electronically move personal health and medical information securely between doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers when it is needed for patient care. Health information is protected and exchanged under medical privacy and confidentiality standard procedures. Secure electronic health information exchange allows patients and physicians to make sure that patient health information is available when and where it is needed.

How Is Health Information Currently Shared?

Currently, your health information may be shared between health care providers by telephone, fax, mail, or through limited computer networks.  These processes take time and may impose a burden on you or your provider but still not provide a complete record.   It is HINSTX’s intention that the network be developed to allow the exchange of information amongst the physicians and hospitals in a timely manner.  This can be critical in an emergency and results in your provider having a more complete and accurate health record.

Why Is Health Information Exchange Important?

Health care providers need all of your health information to provide you with an accurate diagnosis or treatment.  Each of your providers may have different portions of your medical record.  If they can access each other's records and see more complete health information, they can provide you with better care.  Sharing your health information can also help reduce your costs by eliminating unnecessary duplication of tests and procedures.