During the week of July 3, 2000, BWH will begin using a new computerized record in our primary care practices. The Longitudinal Medical Record (LMR) replaces the functionality in BICS Mini Amb. LMR represents both technology and functional advancements. The new record will contain all of the information from our prior record along with many new features. Major advancements include our ability to share patient information with clinicians at Massachusetts General, adaptability of the record to individual and practice needs, and having clinical information in single common Partners data repository.
Because the new record is in Windows format it is much more flexible than our prior record. Each practice and each clinician will be able to adjust many parts of the record for their style of patient care. Examples include clinicians being able to adjust vital sign reports and lab tracking and use forms for letter writing to patients.
Two practices at Massachusetts General have been testing the LMR for the past year. Partners Information Systems developers lead by Joseph Studer, Cindy Spurr, Gil Kuperman, and Irene Galperin have been working closely with physicians and nurses at Brigham and Women's and Massachusetts General Hospital on the first version. BWH’s ambulatory computer advisory group is meeting on a regular basis with Information Systems to review the specific features and ensure it is functional for our practices. This group, chaired by Dr. Robert Goldszer, consists of primary care physicians, specialists, and office administrators. Drs. Frannie Kronenberg and Phyllis Jen are assisting leading the planning and implementation. Training on the LMR will begin in mid June. For overview information on the LMR please refer to p://www.bwh.partners.org/gms Physician Education.
A second process BWH will be looking at very closely is its discharge summaries. In particular we are exploring the possibility of using more
of our computerized discharge orders and information as the formal hospital summary. This effort is in the early phases, being lead by
Drs. Andy Whittemore and Robert Goldszer, and Joanne Hogan of Care Coordination, Jackie Raymond of Medical Records, and Karen Nelson of Quality Management.