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Paperless Health Care
By Claus Schafhalter | March 11, 2010
The other day I had my annual appointment with the optometrist. It was the first time that I visited this particular one, so as a new patient I was asked to fill out patient information forms and medical history forms.
I do not like to fill out forms manually, but there was no choice. I took the pen and began to check, mark and write what I have checked, marked and written numerous times before. I did it when I changed my primary care physician, when I was referred to an internist, even my dentist wanted to know if I was allergic to hay or had a history of manic break downs. Which I have not.
After I’ve completed and signed the forms, I handed then to the receptionist. She started to put the information of my paper forms into an electronic form on her PC. Yikes, the lean expert in me crinched.
After she was done she printed the forms and handed them to the dentist. The lean and green myself was now up in arms.
So, why do they not allow me to complete the form electronically? They could put a small kiosk at the check-in and let me enter my information myself. And why does the physician need to have a paper form and does not read and update the form electronically?
Even better, why am I not able to save my medical history on my smart phone or smart card — strongly encrypted with the ability to access the data only when I provide my valid password and a registered physician provides his valid authorization? The technology is out there just waiting to be implemented.
There are studies that show how much could be saved by using digital technology throughout the health care system. The most significant savings would come from reductions in errors by not being forced to decipher notoriously bad hand writings. And while there are pockets of innovation, there are still too many places that require you to fill out a form manually, just to print the information for the physician to throw it away.
How many errors could be avoided? How many trees could be saved?
Claus Schafhalter, Management Consultant @ Sunogos
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