NM Health Dept. Adopts EHRs

HDM Breaking News, August 1, 2008

The New Mexico Department of Health recently completed implementation of electronic health records software in its 49 public health clinics.

Deploying the EHR software--from Chicago-based Allscripts LLC and remotely hosted by Dallas-based MedNetwoRx--started last September. The project is part of Gov. Bill Richardson’s initiative to accelerate EHR adoption across the state. After a transition period, automated clinics have seen decreased wait times for patients to get appointments, says Winona Stoltzfus, M.D., a regional health officer at the department. Further, clinicians at a clinic now have access to the records of patients who previously received treatment at other public health clinics.

Putting EHRs in the public health clinics cost $1.3 million. In a separate program, the Department of Health is conducting a $900,000 matching grant program to help private physician practices adopt EHRs. So far, 122 physicians in 36 communities have received assistance. The goal of the program is to help all interested physicians, according to a department spokesperson.

More information is available at mednetworx.com and nmhealth.org.

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