Holmes health district to go to electronic medical records
By Nick Sabo
December 19, 2011
444
The Holmes County Health District will transition to electronic medical records next year through a program offered by an area hospital.
Health Commissioner Dr. D.J. McFadden said Friday, Dec. 16, at the monthly meeting of the Holmes County District Board of Health that the district will begin transferring to electronic medical records (EMR) with Allscripts. Allscripts is an EMR program offered through Aultman Hospital and is currently in use with several health care providers in the county, McFadden said.
The EMR system allows health care providers to access medical records from a computer terminal, rather than having to obtain written records. McFadden said EMR has both convenience and safety to recommend it. The EMR system allows health care providers to exchange records in a secure electronic form.
Right now, when I get a call in the middle of the night, Id have to come into the office, McFadden, whose role as health commissioner includes primary physician at the health clinic, said. With this, I can go online. It will allow me access weekends and evenings.
Boardmember Dr. Dan Miller said his experience with EMR has been positive, noting the records can be shared between other providers with EMR systems and cuts down on duplication.
McFadden said the federal government has been pushing for EMR and is offering incentives in the way of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements for health care providers who come aboard.
I believe we are moving toward pay to performance where we will be expected to reach certain benchmarks, McFadden said. The incentives are carrot and stick, and I think the stick is around the corner. This will be pushed even harder down the road.
The contract with Allscripts will cost $2,000 per month for the first 36 months, then decreases to $1,000 after that. The 36-month period includes purchase of software, McFadden said. The contract also includes technical support and training.
In other business, the board approved proposed food program fees for 2012. The fees were revised from those approved in the November board meeting to reflect a more accurate cost methodology, McFadden said, using data compiled from a 12-month period that shows how much the district spends in food program fee related expenditures.
The new rates are as follows: Less than 25,000-square-feet, risk level one, $199; risk level two, $220.60; risk level three, $416.87; risk level four, $523.40.
More than 25,000-square-feet, risk level one, $280.08; risk level two, $295.19; risk level three, $1,030.03; risk level four, $1,060.89.
Vending location fees are proposed at $23.27 and temporary food operations at $60 per day.
The board will hold a public comment period on the fees at its Jan. 20 meeting.
The board welcomed Pat Wanat as its newest member. Wanat, a county resident who is also active on the Wayne/Holmes Mental Health Recovery Board, fills the seat vacated by Carol Remington.
