Computerized Medical Guidance and Record Keeping: Overview and Implications
At the Dec. 6 Sunday Morning Dialog, Dr. Margaret Quinn, who is responsible for the computer system at Bayshore Hospital, spoke on the ways in which Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) is changing the way medicine is practiced in the three hospitals in the Meridian network.
The system gives doctors direct access to information needed for patient treatment. Using the system, the doctor can almost immediately call up the patient's medical history, see what the symptoms indicate and what treatment including indicated and contra-indicated drugs might be used.
The purpose is to indicate best treatment options, to save time for the doctors and to decrease medical errors. Still about one-fourth of patients admitted to hospitals are subject to errors.
Dr. Quinn, using slides and her extensive knowledge as an internist and geriatrician, gave the attendees an overview of new technologies being used, even though she stated that only 4% of hospitals nationwide have access to the new systems now in place in our local hospitals.
The following question and answer period dealt with the security of the patients' medical history and reassured listeners that the final decision for treatment always lies with the doctor in collaboration with his or her patient.
Margaret M. Quinn, M.D
Margaret M. (Margot) Quinn is Chief Medical Information Officer for Meridian Health. An internist and geriatrician, Dr.Quinn is a graduate of Georgetown University Medical School. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at the Medical College of Virginia. She also holds an MS in Clinical Outcomes from Dartmouth Medical School. |
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