Unique Computerized Patient Records Automatically Alert Medical Staff to Emergency Situations

U.S. Army Veteran Jerry Shultz likes the fact that every one of his doctors and nurses at the Houston VA Medical Center knows his medical history, medications, and results of all of his medical tests.

It is a unique computerized record system that allows them to provide Shultz, and all other Houston VA Medical Center patients with this state-of-the-art health care.

“The hospital’s patient computer system makes me feel extra comfortable about getting my medical care there. No matter what clinic I go to, they can pull my records up and make sure everything goes smoothly, and that I receive the right treatment,” Shultz said.

The Computerized Patient Record System has allowed the hospital to maximize management and utilization of patient information. The patient directly benefits from the sharper accuracy, consistency, and speed that the system has brought about.

The system is different from many non-VA hospitals, because many still rely on paper records. Even those hospitals with computerized records don’t possess some of the same system capabilities. For example, digital progress notes are not often found in other systems.

“Since its introduction, the system has revolutionized the practice of medicine in our hospitals. Ordering and tracking tests, consultations, procedures, and medications has been made much easier. This system has made patient care safer and more efficient, and has saved precious time,” said Hardeep Singh, M.D., a Houston VA Medical Center physician and general medicine professor at Baylor College of Medicine.

The computerized record system also allows physicians to view images such as X-rays and create charts to interpret data. In the case of critical test results, the system automatically sends a physician an alert in order to ensure that the problem is quickly tackled.

Different hospital departments can communicate directly through the system. This way, a radiologist, for example, is immediately aware when a doctor orders an X-ray. This reduces the delay between patient appointments, and diagnosis and treatment.

Houston VA Medical Center medical staff members go through extensive training in order to maximize a patient’s visit time. Clinicians are able to easily maneuver through the user-friendly system and templates make information on the screen easy to read.

When new patient information is added, it is promptly stored and can be quickly retrieved. Health care providers input information into a database simply by typing onto a simple screen that clearly displays patient data.

Veterans, like Shultz can now rest assured knowing that paperwork piled high, some of which could easily be misplaced, is material of the past.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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