ALLSCRIPTS
In 2010 the South Australian Government issued a tender to find an organisation to provide an electronic medical record system . It was an ambitious project by SA Health to introduce what is called an Enterprise Patient Administration System ( EPAS ) - taking an industry that had been built on paper-based records to one that utilises the advances that technology can bring .
However , while major projects such as this are a quantum leap for the health system , they are complicated . There are many moving parts and many , many stakeholders who need to be involved in all stages of the transformation . And of course there are long periods of time when both systems are operating .
The benefits , however , are enormous . Improved patient care and safety and reduced operating costs among them . On a day-to-day operational basis it also means :
1 . Increased safety through safer drug prescribing , reduced errors and adverse events in patient care and improved legibility of patient notes and prescriptions .
2 . Improved continuity of care through integrated records and SA Ambulance can view patient records prior to arrival at the hospital . 3 . Time gains through quicker and easier to access a patient ’ s record , improved timeliness of letters to GPs and specialists and reduced missed patient appointments .
108 July 2016