EHR: State-of-the-art wireless electronic health record system

Susan C. Robinson, MPA, Roy Grant, Franklin James, Lynn Seim, MSN, RN, Peter Sherman, MD, Jeb Weisman, PhD, and Jennifer Pruitt. The Children's Health Fund, 317 East 64th Street, New York, NY 10021, 212-535-9400, srobinson@chfund.org

Although mobile medical units have proven to be an effective means of providing high-quality health care to a medically underserved population, limited space and relative isolation create acute problems storing and accessing medical records. It is not possible to carry up-to-date, comprehensive paper charts required by medical providers for all patients seen on board the mobile medical unit. A centralized electronic record is an important tool for providers addressing the complex issues in caring for the medically underserved.

Utilized by ten projects across The Children’s Health Fund’s National Network, Electronic Health Record (EHR) represents the first integration of a wireless electronic patient record system into a large-scale mobile health environment. Wirelessly networked tablet computers and notebook servers allow clinicians to move unhindered around the mobile medical unit. Medical information is merged regularly to create a comprehensive data set, available to all service delivery sites throughout a project.

EHR provides immediate access to patient records and education materials; direct information entry by provider, eliminating transcription errors; standardization of documentation; facilitated identification and documentation of chronic conditions; improved immunization management; customizable clinical documentation templates; and a regularly updated drug database which indicates potentially dangerous drug interactions. The database format makes it possible to create aggregate reports which track both organizational trends (patient demographics, provider productivity) and medical trends (diagnoses tracking, clinical outcome studies). The unique configuration of computer hardware, software flexibility and customized clinical tools combine to make EHR an innovative system that addresses the needs of a complex and demanding environment.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will

(1)better understand the benefits of an electronic health record system in a mobile-health environment; (2)be able to discuss the basic requirements of an electronic health record system utilized in providing health care to the medically underserved; (3)better understand how an electronic health record system can contribute to the reporting and analysis of medical information

Keywords: Community-Based Health Care, Information Technology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Promoting Children's Health In Adverse Physical And Social Environments

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA