In a recent government meeting, officials highlighted the successful allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the Paso del Norte Health Information Exchange (Fix), aimed at enhancing public health data analytics. The funding is expected to significantly improve the region's preparedness for health crises, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joel, a county representative, emphasized the importance of the data provided by Fix, noting that it has been instrumental in managing health outcomes across the county. He shared that the collaboration with Fix began in 2019 and has evolved to include critical health information access for various facilities, including the Delta Welcome Center for the homeless and the county jail. This partnership has reportedly helped maintain low COVID-19 positive rates in these facilities by enabling effective screening and treatment strategies.

Emily Hartman, executive director of Fix, presented an overview of the organization’s role in the community, detailing its mission to ensure that patient records are accessible to healthcare providers at the point of care. Hartman noted that Fix has facilitated over 70,000 medical record accesses monthly, leading to significant reductions in hospital readmissions and emergency department returns.

The meeting also addressed the evolution of Fix's services during the pandemic, transitioning from paper-based systems to electronic data sharing, which streamlined lab testing and results reporting. This shift not only improved efficiency but also enhanced the ability to conduct timely case investigations and contact tracing.

Hartman concluded by discussing the future direction of Fix, focusing on expanding public health surveillance capabilities to better identify and manage health trends in the community. The meeting underscored the critical role of data sharing in improving health outcomes and the ongoing commitment of local leaders to enhance public health infrastructure.