Paperless System Is Wave of the Future for Emergency Departments
Another enhancement to the hospital’s ED includes the installation of a state-of-the-art information technology system for managing patient flow. The new system, called Vital Works Emstation, is a Microsoft Windows based product designed to improve data management in the emergency room setting. It allows for creation of electronic records to document and track every step in a patients emergency room visit, including autofaxing patient records to primary and referring physicians for follow up care. The system also supports auto transmission of prescriptions and discharge instructions and controls expenses by eliminating transcription costs and improving billing accuracy. A patient tracking feature creates an electronic “whiteboard” to chart progress of the patient from waiting to holding, to exam, and finally, to recovery or admission. The software allows for visualization of bottlenecks to optimize staff responsiveness and productivity. The paperless medical record system is important to ensuring the safety of our patients. The physicians are directly inputting records, so chances of records being misread are decreased. The system also was designed with features to protect patient confidentiality.
“Vital Works is the wave of the future,” says Dr. Morse. Eventually, all hospital emergency departments will have paperless systems.”
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