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The Cleveland Clinic and MetroHealth Medical Center announced this week they will provide access to each other’s electronic medical records. Over the next two years the Clinic will phase in access to MetroHealth records. This makes them the first two hospitals in Northeast Ohio to engage in such an open exchange. The Cleveland Clinic system treats more than 4.6 million patient visits yearly; MetroHealth about 1 million.
As long as the patient gives their consent, doctors will be able to quickly review important medical information such as medical histories, lab reports, X-ray, doctors’ notes, and much more.
Electronic records are more secure than paper, which can be read by anyone who picks them up. Electronic records are completely auditable and show when the records have been accessed and who had access to them.
The greatest benefits of electronic records will go to the patients. Doctors will have immediate access to patient records. In the event of an emergency, patients won’t have to wait for paperwork to be faxed. Without the records, patients run the risk of undergoing expensive tests, needless X-rays, and longer waits for treatment. Research has proved that billions are wasted on unnecessary tests and X-rays in the U.S. each year that could have been avoided if the doctors had instant access to medical records.
Further expansion of the program is the goal. It would first be introduced to other medical institutions in the area that use the same electronic medical system, Epic, including Akron Children’s Hospital, Care Alliance, Kaiser Permanente and Neighborhood Family Practice. Ultimately a statewide exchange will be created.
According to a spokesman at The University Hospital system, they are also creating a medical records exchange this year allowing it to share records with physicians throughout the community.
