Geisinger expert: digital health records key to transforming medicine

DANVILLE, PA – Widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHR) could be enhanced if large, digitally advanced healthcare providers worked with smaller physician practices and community hospitals, a Geisinger expert said.

A recent national survey found that just 4% of physicians have a fully functional Electronic Health Record (EHR). In light of that survey, Geisinger Chief Information Officer Frank Richards said it’s important for systems like Geisinger to share resources, as well as lessons learned from implementing these systems.

“The EHR can improve healthcare quality and efficiency, remove geographic barriers between physicians and their patients and empower consumers,” Richards said. “There are economies of scale — it can get expensive the smaller the practice.”

Geisinger has spent $90 million in the last 12 years developing its information technology infrastructure and EHR. Having learned from its experiences, Geisinger is working with regional providers to put more digital technology to use for patients.

Geisinger helped establish a network with regional hospitals to share information about trauma victims, started telemedicine programs for services such as pediatric cardiology and has started an E-prescribing program with local pharmacies.

Geisinger is also working with a group of national experts to study EHR use and safety. The group published an article in the May/June Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, urging better communication between providers about the EHR.  

“The bottom line is that providers can learn a lot from each other,” Richards said. “If you share these EHR resources, you can improve patient care.”

About Geisinger Health System
Founded in 1915, Geisinger Health System (Danville, PA) is one of the nation’s largest integrated health services organizations.  Serving more than two million residents throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, the physician-led organization is at the forefront of the country's rapidly emerging electronic health records movement. Geisinger is comprised of two medical center campuses, three hospitals, a 720-member group practice, a not-for-profit health insurance company and the Geisinger Center for Health Research—dedicated to creating innovative new models for patient care, satisfaction and clinical outcomes. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org