KHI NEWS SERVICE
KANSAS CITY, Kan., Nov. 13
The University of Kansas Hospital is in the first phase of implementing a $50 million electronic record keeping system, officials announced today.
The system, which will be used by the hospital”s staff of 4,200 physicians, nurses, medical students and other health workers, will replace the old paper system with small, wheeled computers that display patient information. The new system is called O
2
for “Optimal Outcomes.”
“O
2
provides a system to support the safest, most evidence-based care available,” said Bob Page, the hospital”s chief executive officer.
“It is designed to give our staff the most up-to-date, accurate information about their patients in a way that’s easy to understand and use. When our staff has the most comprehensive profile of their patients, they can provide the best care, make the best recommendations to other care team members and advocate for patients in the best possible ways.”
Among the system”s benefits, according to hospital officials:
* “Decision support” features that alert caregivers to potential medication interactions, dosage issues and other key information.
* Staff no longer must decipher individuals” handwriting, reducing the chance of medication errors.
* Patient information is securely stored and easily accessible whenever patients come to the hospital. Patients no longer must answer the same questions over and over again.
* Staff members have more time for patients because they spend less time on paperwork or searching for a chart.
The program uses the platform from Epic Systems Corporation.
“Our own front-line employees and physicians have dedicated hours of their time, their passion about patient care and their professional knowledge to design, build and test O
2
. The result is a system that embodies our heart and soul, and truly reflects how we care for patients,” Page said in a prepared statement.