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More Than Implementing an Electronic Health Record - Innovation in Tasmanian Community Health

  • Year: 2003
  • Author: Boote, Andy; Hill, Ros; Webb, Diane
  • Editors: Coiera, Enrico; Chu, Stephen; Simpson, Carmel
  • Journal Name: Proceedings. Brunswick East, Vic.: Health Informatics Society of Australia (HISA) ; Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
  • Publisher: Health Informatics Society of Australia (HISA) ; Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
  • Published Location: Brunswick East, Vic
  • ISBN: 0975101307
  • Country: Australia
  • State/Region: Tasmania

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) commenced a business initiative project called the Community Client Health Profile (CCHP) to implement an electronic health record into the community sector. Jointly funded by DHHS and Networking the Nation as part of the Regional Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund, CCHP's primary function is to support and enhance the delivery of coordinated services to rural and regional communities. The improvements in this area will be achieved through integration and sharing of health information within and across service disciplines.The current documentation and health information practices are completed in a paper based medical record with limited sharing of clinical information across related service areas. These processes are time consuming and subsequently result in limited distribution of relevant clinical and non-clinical information to health care providers also delivering services to the client. Subsequently a client is likely to possess many records stored in many locations, thus adding to inefficiencies in record keeping, regulates health care providers ability to provide effective services and severely effects health care providers ability to provide best practice coordinated clinical care.The technology infrastructure prior to implementation was limited to the occasional computer sometimes with a modem. The skill and ability of workers prior to implementation in delivering services supported by information technology was very low. The project has driven the need for improved technology infrastructure and skill development.The project utilises the Inputs Transform Outputs (ITO) Model to ensure major outputs and outcomes are achieved. Outputs include1. New and Improved Business Processes2. Client Management Application3. New Standards, Policies, Procedures and Practices4. New Organisational Requirements5. Education ProgramA key feature of acquisition and development of the Client Management application was driven by the business requirements rather than a technical specification. Other innovations of the project include an online an knowledge management base to provide clinical, business and training materials to support the implementation of the system; and features within the application including point of care data collection and decision support systems (integrated EHR, care planning, assessments, interaction checking).

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