Recommended Initiatives
Important Issues
Recommended Initiative 1:
Electronic Medical Records
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Encourage development of electronic medical records through financial incentives and the promotion of the use of digital technology and information systems. Establish a universal electronic medical record system in the State of Florida within five years which allows for the capture of patient clinical data, and that facilitates and allows all caregivers and receivers to share medical records and access clinical information, thus improving quality, safety, coordination, and efficiency and decreasing costs. Encourage all states to adopt a uniform model to allow for efficient, cost effective transfer and sharing of medical records electronically by patients and doctors while preserving patient privacy.
Benefit of Recommended Initiative 1
The benefits are clear. From the perspective of patients and their families, all would be more engaged and, thus, more responsible for the quality and amount of care they receive. Communication among patients, their families, and providers would be more transparent, thus improving relations and confidence in medical decisions. Physicians are often unaware of potentially lifesaving treatments since patient records are housed in clinics, labs, hospitals and private offices. With increased patient confidence comes a decrease in the costs related to the practice of "defensive" medicine. Data systems that alert providers to errors improve efficiency and safety, improve outcomes, decrease lengths of hospital stays and decrease malpractice risk and exposure to lawsuits. Public health interests are served in that public resources are used wisely, as over/under utilization or misuse of care can be monitored and corrected. Additionally, the spread of specific ailments can be tracked and resources deployed where needed. All of this translates into more efficient delivery and the best use of limited resources.
All providers, payers and public health interests benefit from the sharing of clinical data for research in the development of evidence-based medicine, as well as research tracking longitudinal outcomes of new pharmaceuticals and innovative interventions. Finally, as a leader in developing a statewide network of this magnitude, the State of Florida will be showcased as a leader in addressing one of the most central problems in the delivery of quality, affordable health care. With such a diversity of cultural populations and such a range of age groups being served, Florida will demonstrate that a data system such as this can address an equally wide range of concerns and needs.