CORHIO Partnering with Office of Behavioral Health to Connect Colorado Jails to HIE

With the goal of improving behavioral and physical health outcomes for individuals in the criminal justice system, the Office of Behavioral Health has engaged with CORHIO and Quality Health Network to improve data sharing. 

In 2017, The Colorado State General Assembly passed Senate Bill (SB) 17-019 calling for enhanced medication consistency solutions in county and municipal jails and a partnership with health information exchange. Strengthening the medication practices of jail staff is a key priority for Colorado, and this legislation has the potential to positively impact the quality of care provided to individuals within Colorado’s jail system.

Individuals within the criminal justice system are frequently transferred between community treatment providers and criminal justice settings resulting in lack of standardized screening, inadequate access to medications and other clinical history, and the potential for gaps in medication consistency and treatment coordination upon community release.  

The Office of Behavioral Health, CORHIO and Quality Health Network (Colorado’s two state HIEs) are collaborating on a program funded by the state that will provide jails with access to clinical data. The goals are to create positive health outcomes for this vulnerable population, reduce recidivism and create healthier communities. 

"The collaboration between OBH and CORHIO will surely set precedence for the future advancement of health information technology within the criminal justice setting," says Danielle Culp, Criminal Justice Health Information Exchange Coordinator for the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health.