Officials at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics said the final phase of their transition to electronic medical records is nearing. On May 2, all UIHC departments, the Carver College of Medicine and Student Health Service will move to a new $60 million computer system to track medical records.

“It is going to be a tremendous undertaking,” said Lee Carmen, an associate vice president of UI Medical Affairs. “[This] will be the most obvious event to staff on this whole project and it will impact them more than anything else.”

The transition project that began in January 2007 was funded by patient revenue and is expected to enhance patient safety, research and hospital quality.

“There are many areas of medical care that are not highly standardized,” Carmen said. “This system allows us to look to see and identify what is the best care of that clinical condition and program the system to lead the clinicians in that direction.”

The new computer system will make it easier for doctors to order prescriptions drugs, X-rays or scans and even hospital rooms for surgial procedures  — orders will be received via computer and many of the procedures will be done automatically.

Hospitals across the state of Iowa are trying to replace their current paper charts with an electronic system, but the process is costly, some projecting costs up to $200 million.

“Everyone is working on it at some degree,” said Scott McIntyre, communications director for the Iowa Hospital Association. “It’s a pretty tough project to take on, especially with the current economic environment.”

The transition is most likely to be difficult for many physicians, nurses and staff who aren’t familiar working with the new computer system. UIHC officials said they expect it will take a year for all staff to adjust to the new system, though they believe it will have a lasting impact.

[via Jennifer Delgado, The Daily Iowan]