In a digital, paperless medical office, patient information is entered on a screen instead of on a form attached to a clipboard.
Related StoriesThe national average for hospital-acquired ulcers in patients is 7% to 8%. At NCH, in 2001, 12% of patients were getting the ulcers. "We've got 10,000 people each year in the hospital over age 75," says Weiss. Meaning at least 1,200 of those patients were getting ulcers each year, and maybe 600 of them were soon dead.
Using Cerner's software, every patient is now "scored" on admission for vulnerability to bedsores--based on age, medical problems, test results, and other characteristics. Those at high risk get special attention: different beds, special nursing orders so that patients get turned, heel protectors. "You cannot admit the patient without doing the pressure-ulcer scoring," says Weiss. "The system makes it foolproof."
The rate of ulcers in patients at NCH has fallen to 1.7%. About 170 patients a year over age 75 now get the ulcers, instead of 1,200--perhaps only 85 die within a year from a largely preventable problem, instead of 600. That's 500 lives saved each year, in one pair of hospitals, because of software and because of the new methods it inspires. "That," says Weiss, "is a good use of technology."
Senior writer Charles Fishman (cnfish@mindspring.com) is the author of The Wal-Mart Effect, published by Penguin Press in January.
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Recent Comments | 16 Total
February 19, 2008 at 1:51pm by Rachel Grover
This is exactly why we are in the EMR business! This software can change the way a doctor's office is run because it opens doors that have never been available before.
July 27, 2009 at 2:52am by Smith Welson
This software can change the way a doctor's office is run because it opens doors that have never been available before.
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July 27, 2009 at 2:53am by Smith Welson
Great post, thanks for sharing.
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July 28, 2009 at 5:41pm by Chris Sabian
Its amazing how its the publically funded organisations who seem to set these rules of 'turning to a paperless office' however it always seems to be the ones making the rules that have the biggest room for improvement. Its no surpised that there has been great enlargement of this issue in recent months.
July 28, 2009 at 5:44pm by Chris Sabian
Its amazing how the enlargement of this problems is caused by publically funded organisations who have the greatest amount of improvement to make.
July 28, 2009 at 5:45pm by Chris Sabian
Its amazing how the enlargement of this problems is caused by publically funded organisations who have the greatest amount of improvement to make.
August 9, 2009 at 3:32am by Virginia Jacobs
Excellent work, every buddy can get lots of interesting information, keep on posting this type of brilliant articles.
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thanks a lot again for sharing Fast Company
August 20, 2009 at 4:39am by Jesica Semon
I tend to see things going this way as well. I'm certain this won't stop at drug use and party behavior (which is actually a ridiculous qualifier as some of the best employees I've seen partied hard on the weekends). What happens when you're denied a job because of some political or religious views you espouse on blog that the HR person doesn't agree with? You know, the kind of information they aren't allowed to ask you in an interview setting. If it can't be asked in an interview they shouldn't be allowed to go looking for that info online. But, I guess you can always make your profiles private so only people you want to see them can.
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This is exactly why google is scanning all the book and make it public for everyone. Great post obat
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Marie Curie say: Thank a lot, it is so usefull for me, keep it going on
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November 21, 2009 at 5:18pm by jennifer park
Whenever i see the post like your's i feel that there are still helpful people who share information for the help of others, it must be helpful for other's. thanx and good job.
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November 21, 2009 at 5:20pm by jennifer park
Whenever i see the post like your's i feel that there are still helpful people who share information for the help of others, it must be helpful for other's. thanx and good job.
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