North Bay Business Journal

PETALUMA — Redwood Community Health Coalition was awarded $1.2 million in federal funds to help expand use of health information technology.

The Health Resources and Services Administration today announced new grants from Patient Accountability & Affordable Care Act funds, intended to improve the quality of care at community health centers through implementation and adoption of health information technology.

Redwood Community Health Coalition (707-792-7900, rchc.net) was one of 37 health networks nationwide receiving health center network grants totaling $18 million. The coalition has 16 member clinics and networks in Sonoma, Marin, Napa and Yolo counties and is affiliated with Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County and clinics operated by the counties of Marin and Sonoma.

“Effective use of technology and data can improve the quality of care and make our health care system more efficient,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Health Center Network grants will support the adoption and meaningful use of certified electronic health record technology and technology-enabled quality-improvement strategies in health centers. The networks, comprised of at least 10 collaborating health center organizations, are designed to promote enhanced sharing of information and expertise, to address key operational and clinical needs through greater program integration.

“These investments will advance the adoption and implementation of health information technology in more than 600 health centers throughout the U.S.,” said Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N.