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HOME > ABOUT > PRESS > WEST COUNTY FIRST WITH "LIVE" ELECTRONIC RECORDS
Article published - June 23, 2008
Credit: NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL
West Sonoma County health center first ‘live’ with electronic records
BY D. ASHLEY VERRILL
GUERNEVILLE – West County Health Centers is implementing what will be one of the broadest regionally connected electronic medical records systems in the community clinic setting.
The $12 million project orchestrated by the Redwood Community Health Coalition will eventually link 18 health care sites in Sonoma, Marin, Napa and Yolo counties over the next three years, with Guerneville-based West County Health being the first.
The system will allow providers to quickly access patients’ medical records including lab results, x-rays and general health information. Most health care facilities have or are on their way to shifting to an electronic format, but in almost all clinics the information can not be shared from one agency to the next.
Besides having the ability to access vital patient history in an emergency, electronic medical records are also important for developing the best practices and monitoring patient outcomes.
“Medical care has changed dramatically in the years since our health centers first opened their doors. More and more people live with chronic conditions that require ever-increasing, complicated interventions to control,” said Dr. Steve Bromer, West County Health Centers’ medical director. “Electronic health records are a tool that helps us continue to provide effective, safe and timely medical care in the ever-changing health care environment.”
The records allow doctors to monitor results across large groups of patients without using their identities as a method for improving treatment by identifying the best practices for prevention. It can also measure and create reports on the reach of specific health conditions in the community.
The eClinicalWorks system was first piloted in January at West County’s new satellite site in Sebastopol, where overflow patients are treated using the paperless system.
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