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The medical industry has been moving towards the implementation of electronic medical records for many years, with some organizations moving more aggressively than others. Today, patient safety strategies, privacy/security issues, and governmental pressures are converging for what promises to be a quick transition to widespread use of EMRs. Information technology advances and clinical and financial incentives have combined to create an optimal environment for change.
The current federal administration has adopted a carrot-and-stick approach to advancing the healthcare industry toward widespread use of EMRs. It is initially offering stimulus (incentive) dollars to hospitals and providers for implementing EMR systems, eventually penalizing those who don’t by withholding a portion of Medicare and Medicaid .jpg)
reimbursement. The stimulus money can take away some of the fiscal sting of implementing an EMR, making this an opportune time to invest in qualified systems.
reimbursement. The stimulus money can take away some of the fiscal sting of implementing an EMR, making this an opportune time to invest in qualified systems.The government has established 25 “meaningful use” guidelines that an EMR system must address in order to be eligible for these stimulus dollars. It has been estimated that only 2 percent of hospitals nationwide have systems in place that conform to federal guidelines, so much work still needs to be done.
The requirements for “meaningful use” eligibility include Computer Provider Order Entry (CPOE). Provider orders must be entered electronically in the EMR system. In addition, EMR systems must provide checks and balances associated with drug allergies and interactions, helping serve as a safety net, identifying when patients are allergic to specific drugs or when prescriptions are at odds with an existing medication.
Medicine has always been a technology-driven industry. IT technology has been slow to catch up with the needs of the industry. Now, finally, IT technology is available that can meet the needs of caregivers and fulfill the “meaningful use” criteria of the federal government.
At Miami Children’s Hospital, a 289-bed private, non-profit hospital, we have recently acquired a product from Cerner that will fulfill all requirements. Implementation is an enormous task. Over the next 18 months, we will begin merging the system with existing systems, training staff and working to bring our 650-member medical staff on board, so that they have the necessary equipment and training to deploy within their individual offices.
We have been fortunate that our commitment to this process predated federal HiTech laws. Our hospital’s operating statement, adopted in 2007, dictates that we provide “world-class care in a highly automated environment.” This commitment to embracing technology to advance care led to numerous initiatives on our campus that have paved the way for the EMR, now in progress.
The benefits to patients and caregivers are immense. With radiology, laboratory, inpatient care, outpatient care, rehabilitation services, urgent care, and patient billing all under one umbrella system, we will be more efficient in managing the needs of our patients. Caregivers will be able to access the protected patient data via a secure log-in system from anywhere, ensuring that doctors and other caregivers have all the data they need to make informed decisions.
The next 10 years will indeed be dynamic ones for our industry as hospitals and physicians advance EMR systems, which promise great enhancements for patients and the professionals who serve them.
