Eden Medical Center is one step closer to converting its patient health records into the digital age.
Todd Peterson, the hospital's vice president of information
technology, back in February revealed that Eden Hospital in Castro Valley would
primarily use electronic health records -- or EHR -- when it the new building
is completed in 2013.
"What does this mean?" Peterson said in the hospital's blog. "Our physicians will get a full view of a patient's care at any given time, from any location, once their patient has been admitted to the hospital. So the patient's medical history as it relates to diagnostics, drug therapy, procedures, diet, rehabilitation and notes generated by physicians and nurses will all be available online."
The digitized health records would also be used and available for visits to any Sutter Health-owned facility or physician office, Peterson added.
"Every patient room, alcoves between rooms and nurses' station will be furnished with a computer workstation so patient records can be accessed throughout the hospital, he said. "Physicians will also have wireless devices such as PC tablets to provide the most flexibility and mobility throughout the hospital."
Down the road, patients are expected to be able to check their own clinical results online, e-mail their doctors, arrange appointments, and track their own health history.
But why make every doctor's scribble or blood pressure
readout available in digital form?
It is widely believed that the adoption and use of
interoperable, electronic health records will improve the quality, safety, and
efficiency of health care. Studies have shown that electronic health records
reduce medical errors, eliminate unnecessary and duplicative services (e.g. lab
tests, prescription medications), reduce insurance costs, and increase
patient's involvement in care.
President Obama has even made health technology including EHRs and their private, secure exchange a centerpiece of his plan for health reform. The current $787 billion economic stimulus package signed on Feb. 17 calls for as much as $3 billion to help jumpstart the process; making it a commonplace practice in hospitals and clinics by 2014.
Given that timetable, Eden's and Sutter's plan to implement
EHRs could be ready a full year earlier, making it one of the first hospitals
in the area to convert wholly to digital format.
However, any EHR program comes with a whole set of concerns. Privacy advocates and civil rights groups are anxious about Big Brother-style consequences. Security experts have warned of data breaches similar to that of T.J. Maxx's parent company, which exposed customer information to cybercriminals.
And while there are no guarantees, Peterson said the hospital is committed to patient safety and points to several practices to prevent mistakes... using barcodes to match patients with their medications, for example.
"The prospects for EHR are endless," Peterson said. "Our patients and clinicians become real partners in the delivery of care over the long term."
The hospital is welcoming feedback from the public on electronic health records on its Web site.
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