Many people aren't wary of giving out their Social Security number or typing their credit card number into the computer to buy something off of Amazon.com.

It is very different when it comes to medical records, though, said Dr. Jerry Calkins, an Cheyenne physician.

He said patients' fears are heightened when they begin to think of their medical records stored on a computer and sent over Internet connections.

"The implication of someone having the wrong information in their medical records is significant," Calkins said. "It has an impact on the care of patients and on insurance costs."

Calkins and others want to find a way to set up a health information exchange network in the state to share medical records legally, safely and efficiently.

Physicians, information technology experts and legal advisers met Monday to discuss the findings of a year-long project focused on addressing the privacy and security questions affecting the exchange of electronic health information.

The Wyoming Health Information Security and Policy Collaboration began after Wyoming was one of 34 states and territories awarded a subcontract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to deal with this issue, said Rex Gantenbein, the project manager.

The Wyoming project assessed the barriers, possible solutions and implementation plans for such a network in the state.

"Today we look at the implementation plans," Gantenbein said at Monday's meeting. "How do we make this work in Wyoming?"

The collaboration group is expected to submit a report to the federal government sometime next month.

Some of the barriers listed were cost, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Wyoming regulations and patients' concerns for privacy.

Those at the meeting discussed creating a research policy center that health care providers can use if they have any questions regarding HIPAA laws, and sharing information instead of hiring a lawyer.

Other possible solutions included clarifying and amending Wyoming law to fit better with HIPAA requirements and the development of an information exchange network, Gantenbein said.

"We don't have the silver bullet, but neither does anyone else in the country," Gantenbein said.

Some physicians in the state are already beginning to use electronic records in their private practices.

Dr. Allen Gee, a neurologist in Cody, has converted his entire office to electronic records over the past 10 years. About 18 months ago he went completely paperless. Even faxes come directly to his computer.

He said his patients have been positive about the changes, which have made his job easier. There have been only three hours in 18 months when he was unable to access his records due to technical problems.

However, few medical offices across the state have electronic recording systems like Gee's and he has no one to share the information with.

Gantenbein said Wyoming is behind the curve when it comes to having electronic health records and sharing them over a server.

"It frustrates me when there was an MRI done on my patient two weeks ago and I don't have access to it," Gee said. "My patient might tell me he thinks he had a stroke, but I still can't get that MRI for a couple of weeks."

Contact health reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@casperstartribune.net.