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Electronic medical record set for Colo.Joshua Wolpe, DDN Staff WriterWednesday, December 17, 2008 | |
In an effort to bring Colorado’s health care system into the technology age, four local hospitals are now exchanging patient information electronically, but some raise questions over privacy.
The new digital program aims to eliminate redundancy, streamline care, prevent medical error and promote affordability.
Behind the times
The new system, used by Children’s Hospital, Denver Health, University of Colorado Hospital and Kaiser Permanente Colorado, gives emergency clinicians immediate access to critical health information that could spare the cost of additional tests and allow for better treatment decisions, say proponents.
“This program holds tremendous promise in improving the health care system,” said Gov. Bill Ritter yesterday. “The IT wave hasn’t touched medical records and most remain paper-based.”
Efficiency increase
The new program is part of the governor’s so-called “Building Blocks to Health Care Reform” program, which aims at improving Colorado’s health care system, focusing on improving quality and keeping costs down. Ritter has put a premium on increasing efficiency.
The nonprofit Colorado Regional Health Information Organization coordinates the health information exchange. The new system officially went live on Dec. 1.
Security questions
The program pulls data directly from the electronic health record system of each participating organization instead of a central repository. Participation in the program is voluntary and all patients have the option to opt-out of the exchange, which means their medical history information will be blocked from the system. Individuals can do this when they arrive in the emergency room of participating hospitals.
Some, however, question the security of the program in keeping patient records confidential and secure. Confidentiality is the main objective of any medical record information exchange. While the program appears to be in a position to greatly increase efficiency, patients need to be assured their medical histories are safe, said Dr. John Halamka, chief information officer at Harvard Medical School.
“A balance must be found between good policy and good security,” he said. “If everyone is on the same page, then it can be a very successful program.”
Patients approve
Patients contacted so far about the program have been very receptive, said the program’s organizers.
“Kaiser insures 500,000 people in Colorado,” said Donna Lynne, chair of the CORHIO board and president of Kaiser Permanente Colorado. “We’ve contacted all of them about the program and less than 100 have opted out.”
Funding
The planning and development of the CORHIO system is supported by a $5 million contract from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Colorado has added $1 million and The Colorado Health Foundation has provided $2 million to expand health information exchanges across the state.
In addition to substantial in-kind investments from the four partners, direct funding has also come from Kaiser Permanente, United Healthcare, Rocky Mountain Health Plans and COPIC Insurance.
The program will be studied next month to document its results and determine if, and how, it will be expanded.
Dr. Paula H. Mayer, assistant professor at the University of Colorado-Denver summed up the program’s goal with one simple statement.
“Medicine is so far behind, we need to catch up,” she said.
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