Electronic Medical Records Expand to Doctor Offices

Initiative Partners Doctors and Hospitals to Serve Patients

DAYTON, OHIO, August 13, 2008 – Premier Health Partners is expanding its electronic medical record system (Epic) to local physician offices. Premier has formed Patient Information Partners (PIP) to help physician offices select a system. Michael Fitzgerald directs the PIP operations.

When Premier Health Partners adopted Epic in 2006 as their electronic medical records (EMR) system, they came to realize the medical community would need assistance in adopting their own EMR. “Choosing an EMR is a daunting task,” Fitzgerald says. “We help the physician’s office make an informed decision.”

“The best feature of using Epic is the physician connectivity.” says Fitzgerald, “The physicians can seamlessly communicate back and forth on the patient’s care. The communication happens in real time with no delays. Epic also holds information such as test results, x-rays, scans and scheduled appointments. It enhances the continuity of care.”

Premier HealthNet is the one of the largest groups of primary care physicians in the Miami Valley region. To date six Premier HealthNet physician offices – 40 doctors – have used PIP to adopt Epic in their offices. Eventually all of the HealthNet offices will have Epic. LifeStages will also adopt the system this year.

“The installation of Epic was easier than we had predicted. There is a definite advantage to having the complete patient medical record at your fingertips,” says Dr. Walter Reiling III, of Samaritan North Family Physicians. Samaritan North Family Physicians was the first office to use Epic.

Fitzgerald explains, “The demand has been high. We are adding more staff to satisfy the demand.” But Fitzgerald is not a bit surprised. “Epic is a great system. More than 21 percent of the US population has their medical records in an Epic system.”

Fitzgerald credits the ease in adoption to the extensive training, implementation and support programs backed by the PHP-IT team. “Positive outcomes have been the norm.”

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