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As hospitals across the country celebrate Health Information and Technology Week (Nov. 5 to 11), BWH Health Information Services is preparing for the next step in the transition from paper to electronic health records.
“Health information management is dedicated to the effective management of patient information and health care data needed to deliver quality treatment and care to the public,” Jackie Raymond, director of Health Information Services, said. “As the health care industry moves further into the information age, the role of the health information management professional is becoming even more critical.”
In Medical Records on L1, staff are training to scan a portion of inpatient medical records to bridge BWH from paper to automated records. The project goes live Dec. 5.
After the go-live date, when a patient is discharged, Medical Records will scan progress notes, notes on patients’ histories, physicals and consults, anesthesia records including consent, and advanced care directives. Once scanned, those documents will be available online within 24 hours through BICS, Longitudinal Medical Records (LMR) and CDR. The paper copies will be destroyed and the rest of that patient’s records—including the big flow sheets—will be sent to storage.
“If that patient is readmitted, that record will be available online,” Raymond said.
National Health Information and Technology Week is Nov. 5 to 11. BWH Health Information Services (HIS) and members of the BWH Confidentiality Taskforce will staff tables outside the cafeteria Monday and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Stop by to learn about patient confidentiality policies and practices. HIS will offer tips and free prizes.