By Meghan McCormick
When President Barack Obama signed a $410 billion spending bill into law last week, it was good news for Oklahoma and Norman Regional Health System.
The law allows for $82 million in funds to cover 10 special Oklahoma projects. Norman Regional Health System is one of those projects named in the law, and is expected to receive $381,000.
Marilyn Geiger, executive director of Norman Regional Health Foundation, said she and foundation members worked through U.S. Rep. Tom Cole's office and U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe's office for assistance in grants.
Geiger said NRHS has been spending its own money and federal funds to advance the use of electronic medical records.
"That's what we're going to use that money to continue doing," she said.
Geiger said an electronic medical records system lets doctors, hospitals and other medical providers input patient information in "real time." Records are available from any location where the patient receives services.
"It's a national, federal initiative to accomplish this," she said.
She said the push for electronic medical records became urgent after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in August 2005. It was almost impossible to locate medical records for residents who needed care or medication.
"People didn't have any records of medicine and no way to retrieve medical records," Geiger said.
She said the federal government moved up the initiative for medical practices to access records electronically.
"It's a safety issue and quality of care issue to have all the appropriate medical records available," Geiger said.
Geiger said if a patient were to visit Norman Regional Hospital's emergency department, the physician would be able to access that person's medical information. Also, a patient's primary physician can follow hospital care.
She said NRHS staff has wanted to follow through with this plan for some time now.
"We've been working toward this initiative for a couple of years," Geiger said.
She said the hospital expects to see some of the funds in about a year.
Dr. Brian Yeaman, director of physician informatics for Norman Regional Health System, said the patient benefits the most with what he calls a records database. The database can include patient records, allergies, medication lists, medical history, surgical history and lab test results.
"The intent isn't to replace a physician talking to a patient, it's intended to provide information the patient might not be able to report or they forgot what happened on a hospitalization," he said.
Yeaman said this also will avoid duplication of costs, testing and drug allergy interactions.
"Ultimately, it's about better care upfront," he said.
Yeaman assured all patient information is protected and secure in the database. A patient can have information removed when they choose.
"Should any patients feel, they don't want their records shared, they can ask for it to removed from the database," Yeaman said.
Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com
