The article I read, “G.E.’s Bid to Connect Computerized Health Records,” talked about changing hospital records from paper to computers. The main concern is cost although the government is giving hospitals and doctors a $19 billion incentive to switch. If the system takes off the right way, it will cut costs and improve care. On Thursday, General Electric plans to release eHealth, a unit take on the business aspects of the new computerized system. The goal of eHealth is to create regional and statewide Health Information Exchanges. A $564 billion grant from the government will work as seed money. A big downfall to this investment is failed attempts in the past like Community Health Information Networks and Regional Health Information Organizations.
The new eHealth unit will have security software in order to keep patient information private and a Web portal that can pull a patient’s information from various sources so the doctor is fully aware of the patient’s medical history. Also a new internet software called LifeSensor, will hold personal health records online. However, right now the main concern is with getting hospitals to take part in the health information exchanges. These information systems will be used to share information across networks and manage patient information. A great example of these exchanges being a huge benefit is the Keystone Health Information Exchange, which covers 31 counties in Pennsylvania. In this exchange, lab test results can be transferred right to the electronic records, physicians will be notified when their patient is admitted or released from the hospital, and a patient’s lab and radiology test will be tracked.
Evolving systems like this are ways to really improve the world. Health information exchanges will make the management of health records almost seamless. By creating an integrated health care system, information will be right on hand when doctors need it. Also, once all the records get online in years to come, it will take just seconds to get a patient’s entire health history. This will not only benefit the doctor, this new system will be a huge convenience for patients. Now, when they switch physicians, there won’t be a hassle with transferring information; it will all be right on the system. Also, in exteme health cases like cancer, all tests performed, like chemo, will be tracked and immediately added to the patient’s record. This system will improve the quality of health care by speeding it up and improving the care.
Eventually, having all this information online could be a great source for health research. Doctors could use the information to seek similarities in the backgrounds of patient’s with the same disease. Ultimately, it could help in finding cures and treatments for various diseases. Therefore, I believe hospitals should take the incentive the government is offering in hopes of getting this information exchange up and running.
article found at: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/ges-bid-to-connect-computerized-health-records/#more-22877
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