Electronic Health Record System Could Save Maine $50M Annually
Maine physicians, hospitals and public health officials on Wednesday unveiled a statewide electronic health record system, called HealthInfoNet, as part of an effort to improve health care quality, reduce medical errors and slow the growth of health care costs in the state, AP/Foster's Daily Democrat reports. Advocates estimate that the system will save $50 million annually by eliminating duplicate and unnecessary tests, procedures, prescriptions and hospital admissions.
Construction on the not-for-profit HealthInfoNet network is scheduled to begin later this year, and supporters have raised $4 million for the project. A two-year pilot program will begin this winter and will involve more than 2,000 health care providers in the state, including 15 hospitals and one-third of the state's physicians.
Scott Bullock, president and CEO of MaineGeneral Health, said, "Connecting our patients to a statewide network to share clinical information is particularly important considering the rural environment of Maine," adding, "Many miles may separate a patient's various providers, and all need access to the most comprehensive and timely information at all times to provide the highest quality care" (AP/Foster's Daily Democrat, 1/16).
