Electronic Medical Record System Goes ‘Live’ at LRMC
12/29/2009
A new electronic medical record system has gone “live” in the Emergency Department (ED) at Lapeer Regional Medical Center (LRMC), making the delivery of patient care more timely and efficient.
The system consists of a colorful, high-tech tracking board in the ED that can be viewed on a big LCD screen in the main ED nurse station as well as on multiple PCs and touch screens throughout the ED, radiology and lab departments of the medical center.
“All emergency patients can now be admitted electronically,” LRMC Chief Nursing Officer Ken said. “This new system will serve as an excellent communication tool in the ED and ancillary departments, allowing us to provide better service to our patients.”
Various information about each patient admitted is displayed on the tracking board, including their assigned room, name, age, acuity level and the physician and registered nurse assigned to their case. It also has features such as “tasks to do” for various job classifications, available lab results and radiology films, length of stay information and the patient’s location (i.e. ED, X-ray), as well as a “comments” section for special needs.
The system, which includes a state-of-the-art software package that has order entry and documentation features, allows LRMC staff to complete numerous functions, including:
ED physicians can place orders, document and write prescriptions electronically.
Nurses can document assessments, treatments and medications electronically and are able to view ED charts from the inpatient units
Respiratory therapists can document treatments and procedures electronically.
Lab results are integrated electronically into a patient’s chart
Allergy and medication information is retained for any returning patient.
All clinicians are able to view the ED chart as it is being created from anyplace within the facility or from their offices.
“Our Emergency Department staff is enthused about the capabilities of this new system,” ED Nurse Manager Amy Peters said. “It not only improves service to our patients, it enables clinical staff throughout LRMC to communicate in a more effective manner.”
