EHR HISTORY:
Electronic Health Records (EHR) comes to CMG - 2006
In early Spring, 2005 the physicians at Connecticut Multispecialty Group (CMG) began the discernment process to determine if it was time to bring an Electronic Health Record system to reality in our patient clinics, for the patients they serve, in Central Connecticut. After coming to an agreement to move forward with the project the CMG Board of Directors viewed products developed by a number of different software vendors throughout the country. Finally, in December, 2005, the CMG doctors signed a contract to partner with Allscripts to design, develop and deliver their nationally recognized TouchWorks application. This agreement put CMG first in Central Connecticut to make the commitment of resources, both financial and dedicated employee resources, to bring this type of state-of-the-art technology to our community.
There were many great reasons to develop and employ an Electronic Health Record for our providers and patients at the time. This TouchWorks application would allow the group to check insurance carrier’s formulary before prescribing a medication to assure coverage, electronically forward prescriptions to your pharmacy, and order laboratory and radiology services with area providers electronically. It also allowed us to build efficiencies in our offices by reducing storage space and electronically logging incoming phone calls and patient inquiries.
The most important reason, however, that CMG’s providers, administrators and staff were so proud to bring an Electronic Health Record to our organization is that it allows us to provide our patients a higher standard of care. Ask any of our employees why we are so excited about the work and time we have all invested in the EHR project and they will tell you, “It’s all about Quality Patient Care!” And in August, 2006 our first Divisions of Nephrology and Cardiology began their transition to electronic patient records.
CURRENTLY:
Electronic Health Records (EHR) at CMG today
And the process did not stop there – in the 12 months following our August 2006 beginnings with EHR, CMG brought up all of the CMG specialty Divisions on to Electronic Health Records. Today, CMG continues to bring the most current aspects of integrated medicine and electronic medical records into our clinics everyday. Currently running the Allscripts Enterprise Electronic Health Record application, we are able to employ the best and most current features of electronic charting.
Patients have only “one chart” at CMG regardless of how many different specialists you see within the group – this assures you that no unnecessary or repeat exams or procedures are done and that there is true continuity of care amongst your health care team of providers. Also, our providers order labs and radiology electronically, and receive the results of these ordered exams directly back into the patients chart immediately upon being completed, by the providers at our integrated labs and radiology practices. New prescriptions as well as medication renewal requests are managed with all in and out of area pharmacies through electronic prescribing. Our electronic patient charts contain insurance information as well to help providers discuss treatment options with their patients and correctly identify the need for authorization or coordination with the payer to assure the patients insurance coverage is used most appropriately as well.
Our commitment to our patients continues to be “Quality Care” and through the utilization and continued development of Electronic Health Records at CMG, we are confident we will remain at the leading edge of integrated medicine today allowing us to provide the quality that is at the center of our relationship with each of our patients.