This is accomplished through a community-wide data repository that links health care providers, whether they have the nextgen Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, a compatible EMR system, or no EMR, together with hospitals, payors, and labs.
The product is designed to facilitate a Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO), enabling provider access to patient-centric and complete records. The availability, and currency of information, plus the elimination of duplicate data entry can lead to improved patient safety, enhanced decision making capabilities, time efficiencies and cost savings.
The Ann Arbor Community Health Data Exchange has implemented the EMR system, and is now engaged in a multi-component effort to measure improvements that result directly from nextgen usage, focusing on patient care and safety and on referral and administrative costs.
We’re tying a lot of people together here and making the best use of our EMR systems, said Dr Neal Weinberg, paediatrician at one of the Ann Arbor practices. The level of care was already high, but we’re taking it to the next level – out of individual practices and into the community.
