ATLANTA, June 30 /PRNewswire/ — eLifeCare Solutions, a developer of healthcare technologies, announced today the successful implementation of an interoperable solution to give healthcare providers access to comprehensive patient data. The Phase I pilot is being deployed in the community of Beaufort, SC, with multiple healthcare providers who are sharing patient data via eLifeCare’s consolidated medical record.
Since many patients receive medical care from several different healthcare providers, the ability to aggregate the dispersed data and provide a central location for HIPAA-compliant access will greatly improve patient care. In contrast to Personal Health Records (PHRs) on the market today, eLifeCare’s consolidated medical record contains medical data collected from each provider’s Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, making the information available the most accurate and complete. This ensures the provider is receiving data entered by a medical professional, rather than information offered by the patient. As the patient sees a new healthcare provider, receives treatment from a hospital or requires emergency medical attention, providers in the eLifeCare network can view accurate and current medical information, including diagnosis, treatments, allergies, medications, procedures and lab orders.
“Giving multiple healthcare providers access to the most current medical information about a patient will greatly improve the overall quality of care for that individual,” said Rick Toomey, CEO of Beaufort Memorial Hospital, the first hospital to be testing the solution. “Additionally, the likelihood of a misdiagnosis or conflicting treatment is dramatically reduced if we know the patient’s most recent medical history.”
Access to a patient’s consolidated medical record is secured through several measures. Patients are accurately identified through a biometric system when they become members, and each time they receive treatment at a participating healthcare provider. Providers gain a view of a record only after securing the patient’s consent.
Mark Kolbush, CEO of Lowcountry Medical Group commented, “Not only does this new capability offer significant benefit to the physicians in a single geographic community like Beaufort, it also can be available to healthcare providers anywhere the patient may travel. As long as a provider has the ability to biometrically identify the patient, the patient can grant access to their medical history.”
“eLifeCare’s solution allows us to spend more time with our patients,” added Dr. Vinnie Rhodes, a family practice physician at Lowcountry Medical Group. “With this consolidated medical record in place, we can spend our time on treatment rather than collecting or validating patient medical history.”
The next two phases of the pilot will be deployed in July and early August, offering additional functional enhancements. However, as soon as Phase I capability testing is complete, the solution will move into production with an increase in the number of patient consolidated medical records and participating healthcare providers.
“We anticipate this technology to accelerate the integration of PHRs as more healthcare providers and patients become participating members of the system,” said Kent LaRoque, CEO of eLifeCare Solutions. “The fact that individuals will be able to receive a higher quality of medical care regardless of where they are is a tremendous benefit.”
ABOUT eLifeCare Solutions
eLifeCare Solutions, headquartered in Atlanta Georgia, is a developer and marketer of technology solutions and services for the healthcare industry that automate and improve patient billing and collections, and provide comprehensive and current patient data for health benefit sponsors, patients, healthcare providers and payers. The innovative eON(TM) suite of products and services work together to improve the overall quality of patient care, lower costs and improve operational efficiency. For more information about eLifeCare visit http://www.elifecare.us/ .
ABOUT Beaufort Memorial Hospital
Beaufort Memorial Hospital, a non-profit, acute-care hospital licensed for 197 beds, is the largest hospital in Beaufort County, SC. It is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), and boasts a quality medical staff of more than 150 board-certified physicians and a full range of specialties in Beaufort and select specialties in a satellite office in Bluffton, SC. In 2000, Beaufort Memorial signed an agreement with Duke University Medicine to develop comprehensive heart and cancer programs. Beaufort Memorial is the only Duke-affiliated hospital in South Carolina. For more information about Beaufort Memorial Hospital visit http://www.bmhsc.org/ .
ABOUT Lowcountry Medical Group Lowcountry Medical Group (LMG) is a multi-specialty practice located in Beaufort, SC. LMG offers primary care including both family practice and internal medicine. LMG offers a variety of specialists including GYN, GI, Nephrology, Oncology, Orthopedics, and Cardiology. LMG also has a full laboratory and imaging center including MRI, CT, Ultrasound, and Nuclear Medicine. For more information about Lowcountry Medical Group visit http://www.lcmedicalgroup.com/ .
eLifeCare Solutions
CONTACT: Kent LaRoque, eLifeCare Solutions, President & CEO,+1-678-336-1307, [email protected]
Web site: http://www.elifecare.us/http://www.bmhsc.org/http://www.lcmedicalgroup.com/
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