East Alabama Medical Center announced in January it anticipates to achieve "meaningful use" through implementing electronic health records (EHRs).
"Meaningful use" is part of the criteria set forth by the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs which apply the use of technology to improve the quality of health care.
The transfer to electronic records has already blossomed into benefits for the regional hospital.
Physicians now have the capability to access patient records from anywhere in the hospital, their offices and even their homes. This development allows doctors to react to patient needs quickly, even if the doctors are not directly available.
Patients can breathe easier if they forget to mention something in their medical records, since their past admissions and history will be available before they are admitted to the hospital.
Surgeries have already seen an increase in safety procedures, according to anesthesiologists, who are now able to readily access patient lab values and patient history.
EAMC intends on registering for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
EAMC began the transition to electronic records two years ago.
"We believed then that we needed an integrated electronic record in order to promote patient safety, improve efficiency and keep up with the rapidly changing technological world we live in," said Sarah Gray, assistant vice president for information technology at EAMC, in a press release Jan. 13. "We are delighted that this early start put us into a position to reap the rewards of the stimulus incentives now available."
EAMC is joining hospitals, like Montgomery's Jackson Hospital, that have already made use of the electronic health records system.
"We began the process of implementing a comprehensive EHR in 2005, recognizing the need to improve the coordination and safety of patient care," said Don Henderson, Jackson Hospital president and CEO, in a press release Jan. 17. "The coordination of a patient's health record is a major advance in the safety and efficiency of care."
Doctors are now able to access patient records and radiographic images on personal devices such as iPads or smart phones.
Both hospitals look forward to the development of additional advantages in the future.
"The Jackson Clinic will be moving to a more updated facility," said Rebecca Flatt, marketing specialist at Jackson Hospital. "There will be no paper at all whatsoever."
The updated clinic will give patients a chance to be exposed to the new records, letting them check online or on their smart phones, Flatt said.
EAMC hopes that in the future, patients will eventually be able to receive alerts and reminders about their health.
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