CLEVELAND -- Improved quality of care, convenience, accuracy and security are among the advantages of University Hospitals’ new electronic medical record system.
University Hospitals and First Consulting Group (FCG) announced the implementation of a new $2.5 million FirstGatewaysTM physician/patient record system to serve the Cleveland market and beyond.
By design, this Internet web portal technology will enable University Hospitals physicians to access patient information and complete medical histories within seconds via a secure Internet server -- from every location where patients are being treated.
With this new technology, physicians caring for UH patients can view medical information from virtually all of its 11 hospitals and 15 outpatient facilities in Northeast Ohio. This physician/patient record system provides laboratory and x-ray results, and summaries of prior hospital visits, including diagnoses and procedures performed. Soon, all physicians will also be able to prescribe medications electronically.
The system features safeguards as well. Physicians will be alerted to potential patient drug allergies and a built-in security system assures the protection of patient privacy.
Patients will also have the ability to view their personal medical information and will be able to manage their medical bills in a secure and confidential network.
"The record system provides UH physicians with quick, easy and highly secure access to information about their patients’ medical history with a single password from any web-enabled computer," said Nathan Levitan, MD, University Hospitals Chief Medical Officer and project sponsor.
In addition, the record system will be accessible to medical institutions and clinicians outside of the UH system, provided privacy, confidentiality and security are verified through network safety protocols and patient permission.
The rollout of FirstGateways within UH represents a multi-year commitment by UH to provide web portal access to all clinicians.
"FirstGateways system will provide clinical access to more than 7,000 caregivers in Cleveland and surrounding areas," said Edward Marx, Chief Information Officer, University Hospitals. "The benefits of quick, convenient, accurate and secure access to information for both clinicians and patients within the UH system is a significant step in the quality of care we strive to provide our patients."
Earlier this year, UH announced that it had been selected by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) to serve as one of a dozen pilot sites throughout the United States to help develop solutions for Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs).
"Our partnership with FCG is integral to Vision 2010, our strategic plan for expansion and renovation," said Thomas Zenty III, President and CEO of University Hospitals. "This is a highly innovative system that allows us to realize our commitment to provide the highest quality of patient care across UH. This electronic records system clearly positions UH and Northeast Ohio as a national leader in the adoption of healthcare technology."
"UH’s commitment to expanding the reach and functionality of FirstGateways is an important next step in our product growth strategy and we are pleased to partner with UH for this next phase," said Joseph Casper, Senior Vice President of Product Development, FCG.