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Vision

The Southeast Nebraska Behavioral Health Information Network, Inc. (SNBHIN) is a newly formed organization with a vision to promote quality care through efficient, secure, and confidential handling of data and patient information in order to provide seamless patient care and access from multiple locations.

Focus and Service Area

SNBHIN's primary focus is the development and implementation of a behavioral health integrated information and data management system.  The initial service area includes Southeast Nebraska with the possibility of expanding the system statewide.

Background 

From 2001-2003, Health Partners Initiative implemented a community wide health planning process, using recommendations from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Healthy People 2010 Plan. Through a strategic process, the recommendations of this plan were narrowed to six (6) broad areas. Behavioral health coordination was one of the six priorities identified. 

In the second year of this effort, projects were identified that would address these broad recommendations. Integration of electronic information systems management among behavioral health care providers was identified as a logical first step in streamlining services, with the overall goal of improving patient access to services and building service delivery capacity in Lancaster County.  

As the discussion progressed, it was noted that not only was there a need to interface with major behavioral health care providers in Lincoln, but that many rural organizations use Lincoln based services. Project Partners agreed that there needed to be a region wide health information planning process. With an integrated technology system for information sharing and outcome management in mind, stakeholders in Southeast Nebraska (Heartland Health Alliance, Blue Valley Mental Health Center, Region V Systems, BryanLGH Medical Center, and Health Partners Initiative) came together as Planning Partners, applied for, and were awarded a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Health Information Technology (HIT) Planning Grant in 2004.   

The purpose of the planning effort was to develop an implementation plan for behavioral health care providers in the region to: 

• standardize core shared data elements (i.e. data definitions, intake procedures, referral practices and feedback);

• design an integrated data management system for the sharing of health care data and information among rural and urban health care providers;

• connect rural providers to urban providers; and

• develop messaging capabilities between primary care and behavioral health care providers.

Board Representation

SNBHIN’s Board of Directors consists of health care service providers representing Blue Valley Mental Health Center; BryanLGH Medical Center; Community Mental Health Center of Lancaster County; Heartland Health Alliance; Lancaster County Medical Society; South East Rural Physicians Alliance; Region V Systems; area substance abuse treatment providers; and behavioral health consumers.  

Goals

SNBHIN’s organizational goals include:

• creating a standardized system for patient placements that can be effectively and efficiently referred between facilities in Southeast Nebraska;

• creating an electronic health environment for patient information and patient processes that allows for real-time viewing of patient information, facility tracking and reporting on clinical indicators, performance indicators, and quality assurance indicators; and
• establishing a behavioral health information technology consortium with decision-making capabilities regarding problem identification, intervention, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral health information services in Southeast Nebraska.

For more information about SNBHIN contact:   

Ken Foster, President (402) 481-8833

Wende Baker, Project Director (402) 441-8144

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