By Jennifer Lubell

West Virginia has received $6 million in federal stimulus funds to establish a regional health information technology extension center.

The center has been designated as the statewide organization

to provide education, training and support services to help the state’s primary-care providers implement and meaningfully use health information technology for the purpose of improving patient outcomes.

“It should be active this summer,” said an aide to West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, who along with other local and state officials announced on June 8 the effort to help primary-care doctors adopt electronic health.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the stimulus law, mandates that providers meaningfully use an electronic health-record system to qualify for up to an estimated $27.3 billion in federal reimbursements.

To help physicians become eligible for these incentive payments, the center will, among other initiatives, provide assistance in the selection and purchasing of electronic health-record systems, project management and implementation services, and guidance on privacy and security matters.

“West Virginia remains a national leader in the adoption of health information technology, and this statewide health information-technology extension center will be another key component of our ongoing efforts to use technology to improve the health of our citizens,” Manchin said in a written statement. “This project is the latest example of how West Virginia is working to modernize its healthcare delivery system in order to improve overall healthcare, enhance efficiencies and facilitate greater information-sharing between physicians and patients,” he said.