Washington has taken steps to develop and implement health information technology throughout its health care system.  The Director of the Washington State Health Care Authority must create strategies to facilitate the use of health information technology, such as electronic medical records, by hospitals and integrated delivery systems in order to aid in diagnosis and treatment, reduce unnecessary utilization of care, increase consumer access to information, and improve outcomes.1   Similarly, other government agencies must also collaborate in the adoption of health information systems.2  The state has also initiated a health information exchange pilot program, which may bring together a collection of public and private entities to encourage the use of medical records that are portable, interoperable, and secure.3  In addition, hospitals and other health care facilities may keep electronic records and submit reports and information to the Department of Health electronically.4  The state also supports the use of telemedicine by home health nurses.5

        The state of Washington has also addressed health information technology as it relates to pharmaceutical or medication records.  The law requires that any electronic medication record must be able to capture data removed onto a hard drive.  The law also outlines specific elements that the electronic system must capture, including, patient identification, drug information, prescriber information, dispenser information, and other relevant patient information.6  In addition, Washington requires pharmacies that use electronic medication records to also have an auxiliary system in place as a backup to the electronic system.7