What is the current relationship with Amalga and WHIE?
Are there pilots or deployments of Amalga currently underway by WHIE?
Is Amalga is the product of choice for the ED Linking project?
If Amalga is the product of choice for this project, is WHIE looking for responses that demonstrate how a vendors product interfaces with Amalga? Is this the purpose of the RFI?
Was Amalga part of any WHIE pilots funded by the federal government?
Please describe WHIE's current relationship with Amalga and the extent of any current pilot/deployment activity.
If Amalga, is the platform of choice for this project, what is the intended purpose of this RFI? Is it to compare competitive offerings, or to evaluate complimentary offerings related to the project?
Is Amalga, now or in the future, planning to deliver an EMPI as part of their implementation?
The WHIE RFP references a strong desire to adhere to the Markle Report/Model recommendation for their broader HIE deployment. Their approach specifically supports a federated strategy to the sharing of data. Conversely, the Amalga strategy seems to support a data-centralization strategy with their application being a central and core repository. Please help to clarify the perceived contradiction in your planned/desired approach with your current platform of choice.
Can you share any information on the integration capabilities of each (HL7 Query, Web Services, Java, etc).?
Is the potential vendor required to provide open API (application programming interface), sufficient documentation and appropriate licensing terms in order to facilitate development of portals and other possible information presentation layer clients by third parties? For example, if the solution is based on Amalga would other vendors be able to provide
alternative clients for presenting data.
Clarification on the response due date, is it Oct 29 or November 2? Both are suggested in the RFI on page 2. Do you have an idea of timing for an RFP or short list announcement?
What is WHIE’s budget for the next 24-month term? Is there additional funding identified beyond the Medicare Transformation Grant?
How does this RFI relate to work documented in the Emergency Department Linking System? Are these simultaneous projects that need to be built on same
infrastructure?
Please describe WHIE's current relationship with Amalga and the extent of any current pilot/deployment activity. Is Amalga regarded as the integration platform of choice for WHIE? If so, can you confirm what the integration platform includes (e.g., portal, centralized vs. federated architecture, EMPI, data warehouse/reporting)?
Must references show complete solution implemented in a single site or HIE or can we share more than 3 that cover full solution suite?
Can you elaborate on plans for PACS images/large diagnostics file routing; specific bandwidth requirements for the WHIE backbone?
How many patients and patient records do you anticipate the HIE to manage in years 1, 2, 3 and 4?
What is the number of systems you anticipate to share data into the HIE in years 1, 2, 3 and 4? *Do you know those current systems? Vendor and Version?
Are there any transaction volume estimates or assumptions (for clinical and non-clinical transactions)?
An individual from FCG is listed as a patient care and information exchange workgroup resource. To what degree, if any, is FCG participating in the evaluation and/or selection of a technology partner for WHIE?
If FCG is participating as a consultant to assist WHIE in the evaluation and/or selection of a technology partner, are they prohibited in responding to this RFI?
How does WHIE envision the Amalga solution currently being deployed for the emergency linking project interoperating with the technology solution solicited through this RFI?
Question 29 asks for responders to supply training materials. Are sample materials acceptable?
Will WHIE elaborate on its desire to supply a PHR through the health information exchange as well as the timing for offering a PHR solution?
Is WHIE interested in a technology partner or consortium of partners who can supply both software as well as hosting and infrastructure services, or will WHIE host its own technology solutions? If self-hosted, where will the successful vendor partners’ software reside?
In the workgroup documents, there are several references to promoting ePrescribing. Is WHIE interested in offering ePrescribing as an information product supplied by the WHIE Utility?
Does WHIE have an estimate of initial dollars expected to be allocated to the data exchange?
Does WHIE have a timeframe in mind for starting the data exchange specified in the RFI?
What types of data sources beyond the 10 hospitals and 500 physicians will participate in the data exchange?
Does WHIE expect the project to expand across the state beyond the initial participants specified in the RFI?
How will the proposed system be expected to interoperate with the ED Linking system specified in the RFI?
Is there an anticipated budget to build the southern WI HIE? Will it be funded by grants?
Who runs the Medicaid contract in WI?
Who are the main governance stakeholders?
Is WHIE a 5013c?
Listed on the RFP is a question or two about accessing claims information to get patient information/treatment. Axolotl has means to get that information via clinical data. Thus we if we propose another means to get basically the same information would that be okay? We can access claims but believe it more powerful to provide access to real clinical transactions.
What is the current relationship with Amalga and WHIE?
The technology platform for the WHIE Emergency Department (ED) Linking project will be the Amalga system supplied by Microsoft Corporation. WHIE considers the Amalga product to be a prototype product for the ED Linking project, meaning there is no plan to use the Amalga technology for any projects other than the ED Linking project.
The WHIE Amalga implementation will be the first in the nation to use Amalga to address the complex needs of a regional health information exchange system.
WHIE is currently implementing the Amalga system for the ED Linking project with the first “live” data use expected in the first quarter of 2008.
[ Back to Top ]Are there pilots or deployments of Amalga currently underway by WHIE?
WHIE’s first health information exchange project is the ED Linking project, planned to begin operations in the first quarter of 2008, utilizing the Amalga technology.
[ Back to Top ]Is Amalga is the product of choice for the ED Linking project?
Yes, the Amalga product has been selected and endorsed by WHIE for the Emergency Department (ED) Linking project.
[ Back to Top ]If Amalga is the product of choice for this project, is WHIE looking for responses that demonstrate how a vendors product interfaces with Amalga? Is this the purpose of the RFI?
WHIE considers the Amalga product to be a prototype for the ED Linking project, meaning there is no plan to use the Amalga technology for any projects other than the ED Linking project.
The purpose of the RFI is to help WHIE Planning and Technology Committee members gain a better understanding of alternative technologies.
WHIE is in the early phases of evaluating its next project, to exchange laboratory results. WHIE has not yet chosen a technology platform for the laboratory results exchange project.
[ Back to Top ]Was Amalga part of any WHIE pilots funded by the federal government?
No. However¸ WHIE’s first health information exchange project, ED Linking, is funded by a Medicaid Transformation Grant.
[ Back to Top ]Please describe WHIE's current relationship with Amalga and the extent of any current pilot/deployment activity.
The technology platform for the WHIE Emergency Department (ED) Linking project will be the Amalga system supplied by Microsoft Corporation. WHIE considers the Amalga product to be a prototype product for the ED Linking project, meaning there is no plan to use the Amalga technology for any projects other than the ED Linking project.
The WHIE Amalga implementation will be the first in the nation to use Amalga to address the complex needs of a regional health information exchange system.
WHIE is currently implementing the Amalga system for the ED Linking project with the first “live” data use expected in the first quarter of 2008.
[ Back to Top ]If Amalga, is the platform of choice for this project, what is the intended purpose of this RFI? Is it to compare competitive offerings, or to evaluate complimentary offerings related to the project?
WHIE Planning and Technology Committee members believe that the technology for health information exchange is evolving quickly. WHIE's initial project, ED Linking, exchanges patient data only among a small segment of healthcare providers in the greater Milwaukee metropolitan area.
WHIE Planning and Technology Committee members are requesting information to gain a better understanding of products that may meet a broader set of needs, such as laboratory results exchange, among all healthcare providers in the Milwaukee metro area.
WHIE is in the early phases of preparing its next project, to exchange laboratory results. WHIE has not yet chosen a platform for the laboratory results exchange project.
[ Back to Top ]Is Amalga, now or in the future, planning to deliver an EMPI as part of their implementation?
An EMPI is a planned part of the current Amalga implementation for WHIE’s first health information exchange project, ED Linking.
[ Back to Top ]The WHIE RFP references a strong desire to adhere to the Markle Report/Model recommendation for their broader HIE deployment. Their approach specifically supports a federated strategy to the sharing of data. Conversely, the Amalga strategy seems to support a data-centralization strategy with their application being a central and core repository. Please help to clarify the perceived contradiction in your planned/desired approach with your current platform of choice.
WHIE considers the Amalga product to be a prototype for the ED Linking project, meaning there is no plan to use the Amalga technology for any projects other than the ED Linking project.
The purpose of the RFI is to help WHIE Planning and Technology Committee members gain a better understanding of alternative technologies.
WHIE Planning and Technology Committee members believe that the technology for health information exchange is evolving quickly. WHIE's initial project, ED Linking, exchanges patient data only among a small segment of healthcare providers in the greater Milwaukee metropolitan area.
WHIE is in the early phases of preparing its next project, to exchange laboratory results. WHIE has not yet chosen a platform for the laboratory results exchange project.
[ Back to Top ]Can you share any information on the integration capabilities of each (HL7 Query, Web Services, Java, etc).?
The WHIE members do not understand the basis of the question.
[ Back to Top ]Is the potential vendor required to provide open API (application programming interface), sufficient documentation and appropriate licensing terms in order to facilitate development of portals and other possible information presentation layer clients by third parties? For example, if the solution is based on Amalga would other vendors be able to provide alternative clients for presenting data.
At this point, there are no requirements for interoperability with WHIE's Amalga system or any other WHIE system. The WHIE Planning and Technology Committee wants to gain a broader understanding of possible technologies to support WHIE’s objectives.
[ Back to Top ]Clarification on the response due date, is it Oct 29 or November 2? Both are suggested in the RFI on page 2. Do you have an idea of timing for an RFP or short list announcement?
WHIE apologizes for the confusion. Please use the November 2 date. At this time, there are no plans to submit an RFP.
[ Back to Top ]What is WHIE’s budget for the next 24-month term? Is there additional funding identified beyond the Medicare Transformation Grant?
Through the responses to this RFI, WHIE wants to gain a better understanding of its future resource needs.
In addition to the Medicare Transformation Grant, WHIE currently receives funding for other projects. The funds are from government grants, participation fees, IT vendor contributions and membership dues.
For the next 24 months, WHIE has funding of approximately $3,500,000.
[ Back to Top ]How does this RFI relate to work documented in the Emergency Department Linking System? Are these simultaneous projects that need to be built on same infrastructure?
WHIE Planning and Technology Committee members believe that the technology for health information exchange is evolving quickly. WHIE's initial project, ED Linking, exchanges patient data only among a small segment of healthcare providers in the greater Milwaukee metropolitan area.
WHIE Planning and Technology Committee members are requesting information to gain a better understanding of products that may meet a broader set of needs, such as laboratory results exchange, among all healthcare providers in the Milwaukee metro area.
The technology platform for the WHIE Emergency Department (ED) Linking project will be the Amalga system supplied by Microsoft Corporation. WHIE considers Amalga to be a prototype project for the ED Linking project, meaning there is no current plan to use the Amalga technology for any projects other than the ED Linking project.
[ Back to Top ]Please describe WHIE's current relationship with Amalga and the extent of any current pilot/deployment activity. Is Amalga regarded as the integration platform of choice for WHIE? If so, can you confirm what the integration platform includes (e.g., portal, centralized vs. federated architecture, EMPI, data warehouse/reporting)?
The technology platform for the WHIE Emergency Department (ED) Linking project will be the Amalga system supplied by Microsoft Corporation. WHIE considers the Amalga product to be a prototype product for the ED Linking project, meaning there is no plan to use the Amalga technology for any projects other than the ED Linking project.
The WHIE Amalga implementation will be the first in the nation to use Amalga to address the complex needs of a regional health information exchange system.
WHIE is currently implementing the Amalga system for the ED Linking project with the first “live” data use expected in the first quarter of 2008.
[ Back to Top ]Must references show complete solution implemented in a single site or HIE or can we share more than 3 that cover full solution suite?
While WHIE prefers to have vendors show a complete solution implemented in a single site, please feel free to show the solution that specifically addresses WHIE’s request in the best way.
[ Back to Top ]Can you elaborate on plans for PACS images/large diagnostics file routing; specific bandwidth requirements for the WHIE backbone?
WHIE has no specific technology plans for moving large medical images at this time.
[ Back to Top ]How many patients and patient records do you anticipate the HIE to manage in years 1, 2, 3 and 4?
The Milwaukee metropolitan area consists of approximately 1,500,000 residents. It is not yet clear how many health care organizations will submit patient information to WHIE. However, all major health care systems in the greater Milwaukee metro area are participating in WHIE’s Advisory Board.
[ Back to Top ]What is the number of systems you anticipate to share data into the HIE in years 1, 2, 3 and 4? * Do you know those current systems? Vendor and Version?
The major health information technology vendors licensed by the largest health care organizations in the greater Milwaukee area include Cerner, McKesson and Epic.
- Cerner – Aurora Health Care and Columbia-St. Mary’s
- McKesson – Wheaton Franciscan Health Care
- Epic – Froedtert/Community Memorial, Advanced Healthcare and SynergyHealth
Are there any transaction volume estimates or assumptions (for clinical and non-clinical transactions)?
The current reference points are:
- 2,000,000 patients
- 30,000,000 laboratory transactions per year
- Hospital utilization from the Wisconsin Hospital Association at:
http://www.wha.org/financeAndData/pdf/hosputil8-2007.pdf
An individual from FCG is listed as a patient care and information exchange workgroup resource. To what degree, if any, is FCG participating in the evaluation and/or selection of a technology partner for WHIE?
The WHIE Planning and Technology Committee issued the RFI and the Committee is responsible for making a recommendation to the WHIE Advisory Board. No one on the Planning and Technology Committee, to the best of our knowledge, is an employee or consultant from FCG.
[ Back to Top ]If FCG is participating as a consultant to assist WHIE in the evaluation and/or selection of a technology partner, are they prohibited in responding to this RFI?
The WHIE Planning and Technology Committee issued the RFI and the Committee is responsible for making a recommendation to the WHIE Advisory Board. No one on the Planning and Technology Committee, to the best of our knowledge, is an employee or consultant from FCG.
[ Back to Top ]How does WHIE envision the Amalga solution currently being deployed for the emergency linking project interoperating with the technology solution solicited through this RFI?
The technology platform for the WHIE Emergency Department (ED) Linking project will be the Amalga system supplied by Microsoft Corporation. WHIE considers the Amalga product to be a prototype product for the ED Linking project, meaning there is no plan to use the Amalga technology for any projects other than the ED Linking project.
The WHIE Amalga implementation will be the first in the nation to use Amalga to address the complex needs of a regional health information exchange system.
WHIE is currently implementing the Amalga system for the ED Linking project with the first “live” data use expected in the first quarter of 2008.
[ Back to Top ]Question 29 asks for responders to supply training materials. Are sample materials acceptable?
Yes.
[ Back to Top ]Will WHIE elaborate on its desire to supply a PHR through the health information exchange as well as the timing for offering a PHR solution?
WHIE is relying on the information supplied in the State of Wisconsin eHealth initiative, http://ehealthboard.dhfs.wisconsin.gov/, for additional details on the PHR solution.
[ Back to Top ]Is WHIE interested in a technology partner or consortium of partners who can supply both software as well as hosting and infrastructure services, or will WHIE host its own technology solutions? If self-hosted, where will the successful vendor partners’ software reside?
WHIE is likely to rely on hosting partners.
[ Back to Top ]In the workgroup documents, there are several references to promoting ePrescribing. Is WHIE interested in offering ePrescribing as an information product supplied by the WHIE Utility?
WHIE, at this time, is not interested in an ePrescribing solution. However, WHIE is interested in facilitating medication reconciliation among healthcare organizations in the greater Milwaukee area.
[ Back to Top ]Does WHIE have an estimate of initial dollars expected to be allocated to the data exchange?
WHIE’s first health information exchange project, ED Linking, is funded by a Medicaid Transformation Grant. Additionally, WHIE is also funded through a state of Wisconsin Biosurveillance Grant. WHIE continues to seek additional funding for future projects.
[ Back to Top ]Does WHIE have a timeframe in mind for starting the data exchange specified in the RFI?
WHIE does not yet have a specific time frame. However, WHIE is likely to propose that laboratory results exchange begin in 2009.
[ Back to Top ]What types of data sources beyond the 10 hospitals and 500 physicians will participate in the data exchange?
WHIE anticipates that additional physician groups, public health groups, reference laboratories, government, and health insurers will participate.
[ Back to Top ]Does WHIE expect the project to expand across the state beyond the initial participants specified in the RFI?
WHIE expects its region to be limited to Southeastern Wisconsin. However, the State of Wisconsin is interested in propagating a successful technology across the State and is investing time and resources to provide assistance and oversight to WHIE's projects.
[ Back to Top ]How will the proposed system be expected to interoperate with the ED Linking system specified in the RFI?
At this point, there are no requirements for interoperability with WHIE's Amalga system or any other WHIE system. The WHIE Planning and Technology Committee wants to gain a broader understanding of possible technologies to support WHIE’s objectives.
[ Back to Top ]Is there an anticipated budget to build the southern WI HIE? Will it be funded by grants?
WHIE receives funding from several sources, including grants, participation fees, IT vendor contributions and membership dues.
For the next 24 months, WHIE has funding of approximately $3,500,000.
[ Back to Top ]Who runs the Medicaid contract in WI?
The State of Wisconsin Dept of Health and Family Services has contracted with EDI for these services.
[ Back to Top ]Who are the main governance stakeholders?
WHIE's Advisory Board consists of representatives from each of the areas largest healthcare organizations as well as others representing the public's interests. {See WHIE's web site for a listing of Advisory board participants}.
[ Back to Top ]Is WHIE a 5013c?
WHIE applied for 501c3 status almost 2 years ago. WHIE’s attorney tells us the government is reviewing all RHIO applications and has not yet made a decision if it will continue to grant 501c3 status to RHIO organizations.
[ Back to Top ]Listed on the RFP is a question or two about accessing claims information to get patient information/treatment. Axolotl has means to get that information via clinical data. Thus we if we propose another means to get basically the same information would that be okay? We can access claims but believe it more powerful to provide access to real clinical transactions.
If your system can use claims, it is important for us to understand that. It is also appropriate to suggest additional mechanisms that you believe will provide greater benefit.
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