Electronic Medical Records Now at Affinity

Electronic Medical Records or, "EMR’s" are now a reality at Affinity Health Group in Tifton. While the technology may sound like something out of the old cartoon "The Jetson’s," it is actually a significant improvement in the delivery of health care. In short, it works like this: a patient’s medical history is entered and securely stored in the computer system. Physicians and specific staff members with individual passwords access a patient’s chart from notebook laptop computers or desk computers at Affinity; physicians and physician assistants can also access the records from computers in their home or at the hospital.

While the instant access is efficient for caregivers, it is also more efficient for patients. "I can complete my exam notes and prescriptions for a patient directly on their record while the radiology tech reviews the same chart at the same time to ensure the patient has no history of allergic reaction to dye prior to a procedure," stated Dr. Chris Madden, an internal medicine physician with Affinity. "Pharmacies do not have to call the office anymore to verify a prescription due to legibility issues – the system sends or prints out the prescription based on what is entered."

Some may wonder about the security of an electronic record versus the traditional folder- and-paper version. According to Madden, the electronic version is actually more secure than paper charts. "While efforts are always made to keep paper charts secure, the fact is the charts have to be physically transported from place to place. The folders may be on a desk waiting for a physician to review or for charting and coding. Only when the charts are in a locked room is the information confidential," said Madden. "With this system, only authorized people have individual passwords to access patient records. The system traces every time a particular password logs in. Additionally, we can further secure particularly sensitive charts such as child abuse or molestation cases with a special system ‘lock’."

The implementation of the Electronic Medical Records system at Affinity is so effective Microsoft Healthcare Users Group included Madden as a national finalist in an annual recognition of the most innovative solutions and customers of the Microsoft technology in the healthcare industry.

Madden spearheaded the effort to change to the electronic system within the Affinity physician group. He says that while he "assisted with research and championed the cause with physicians, each employee and physician in the group deserves recognition for a successful implementation."

"All of the physicians are unified in supporting and using the system," said Madden. "Even those physicians who initially found it outside their comfort level due to be used to charting in the traditional manner are on board."

Madden says another easily seen benefit to patients is when someone calls in for approved refills. " Now, an authorized person can pull up the refill, check the accuracy and forward the request to pharmacy while they are on the phone with the patient. In most instances, this method has eliminated patients waiting until the end of day or until the physician can be tracked down to handle these requests. It is simply more accurate, more efficient healthcare."