Paso Del Norte’s Health Information Exchange adds four major hospitals to system
Doctors from University Medical Center and the Hospital’s of Providence’s three campuses will be soon be apart of a network, allowing them to share patient files electronically.
There are no more paper files now. Doctors have to keep electronic records. Family Medicine Dr. Andres Enriquez said keeping electronic files are frustrating and a system with the staff to run it can cost up to a million dollars.
“It is cumbersome to click twenty different screens just to get to that one foot exam, and then we looked at the toes, and then click,” Enriquez said. “If doctor A has one system, and doctor B has another system, they’re not talking to each other.”
That’s all suppose to change over the next year. The Paso Del Norte’s Health Information Exchange connects electronic systems together so doctors can send, receive and look up patient records between offices.
“This is a real big step for us to have four of our major hospitals in the region contributing data,” said Executive Director Jon Law.
El Paso’ Health Information Exchange is connecting UMC’s patient files to the Hospitals of Providence and every doctor that sees patients at those hospitals. Law said this is beneficial to patients.
“They’re hopefully going to take fewer tests, because some of the results can be shared between facilities, hopefully they’re going to fill out a few fewer forms,” Law said. “And the doctors are going to have better information. If they get to their doctor and they forget, maybe a medication they’re taking, they can be able to access that information.”
Dr. Enriquez sees patients at Las Palmas, but if he subscribes for the service, he gets access to patients records at UMC, meaning no more waiting for faxes. It can be costly and not all private practitioners are on board
“Eventually it will make the flow a whole lot easier and smoother,” Enriquez said.
The drawback of the exchange is hacking. Law said they are taking every step to protect its system. Patients who are uneasy can opt out of having electronic records.
