Nonprofit to help 'safety net' providers computerize records
Joyzelle Davis, Rocky Mountain News
Monday, March 19, 2007
Moving medical information onto computerized systems is expected to dramatically improve health care, from reducing errors to allowing earlier detection of infectious disease outbreaks.
The estimated cost of implementing electronic health records systems throughout the U.S. is $50 billion. While hospitals can finance the costs by selling bonds and private practices can take out loans, community health care clinics that serve uninsured patients have fewer resources.
That's where the Colorado Health Foundation hopes to make a difference. The nonprofit set aside $2.5 million this year to help improve health information technology at the estimated 300 or more "safety net" providers in the state. An estimated 20 percent of Colorado's 4.7 million resident rely on the safety net for the health care.
"A lot of people think that technology is used for efficiency, but in this case it also improves the quality of care," said Anne Warhover, Colorado Health Foundation's chief executive. "It not only allows the doctor to understand the patient's history quickly, but it also allows for follow-up care" by enabling providers to get in touch with patients later.
Most safety net clinics have the basic components of health care technology like broadband access and accounting and finance systems, but some 82 percent use paper to keep medical records.
The foundation is accepting grant applications through May 1. For more information, visit coloradohealth.org/grantmaking.
davisj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2514
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