By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-982756.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – The state of Florida is exploring new ground with a system designed to securely transport electronic medical records. The Agency for Health Care Administration is rolling out its Health Information Exchange Network. As Lynn Hatter reports, doctors across the state will soon be able to download their patients' charts.
Florida is working on a system that allows doctors to share patient medical records electronically using the new Health Information Exchange Network. For instance, a doctor in Pensacola can view the files of a patient in Miami. The program also keeps physicians from having to run duplicate tests which cost time and money. Andre Hebert is the project manager with the Harris Corporation, the company behind the network.
"It's up-to-date information so that the clinician, the physician can make the best judgment and give the best care at that time with the information at hand."
The Information exchange is open to doctors and hospitals in Central Florida and is slowly rolling out to the rest of the state. Eventually, the Florida network will connect to a national database allowing doctors from across the county to connect to one another.