Press release:
United Memorial Medical Center is currently implementing an electronic medical record (EMR) system in outpatient clinics. Last week, Tountas Family Care Center in LeRoy was the first hospital-run outpatient service to transition to an electronic medical record and over the next six months each family care center and hospital based medical practice will shift to the new system. This includes Batavia Family Care Center, the Women’s Care Centers in Batavia and Medina, Surgical Associates, Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, Cardiology and Internal Medicine, and the Corporate Health Center.
Evolving to an electronic medical record keeping system in all facets of health care will lead to improved quality, efficiency, and ease of access for providers to an individual’s important health information. Paper records require considerable storage space and collecting records for review by a single provider is time consuming and complicated. Handwritten notes can be illegible and important pieces of data can be buried under a “mountain” of paper. The electronic medical record provides standardization of information and can predict, detect and prevent adverse events based on the information submitted and stored on the system. With the patient’s medical history, laboratory test results, allergies, medication and immunization records at their finger tips, physicians will be able to make a faster, more accurate diagnosis and reduce medical errors.
In addition to providing clinical documentation in the providers’ office, orders can be sent electronically to other hospital departments, (i.e. the Laboratory, Diagnostic Imaging, Wound Care Center) as needed and prescriptions can be sent electronically to local pharmacies for new prescriptions and refills.
In 2006, United Memorial Medical Center began using Medical Information Technology, Inc. (MEDITECH), an integrated software solutions company as the information system in the acute care, hospital setting. LSS Data Systems, a subsidiary of MEDITECH, will provide software for use in the physician practices for the creation of an EMR. The compatibility between information systems at the Hospital and in the physician offices allows structured clinical data to be shared in a timely manner and permits all available clinical information to be in place when making decisions.
This marks a significant accomplishment towards a consolidated electronic medical record for United Memorial patients, regardless of the service provided.
