Mass. program seeks electronic records transfer
BOSTON—Fifteen Worcester County health care organizations are launching a new electronic record-keeping program for patients as they move from one setting to another.
State officials say the pilot project will allow clinical information to be transferred easily and accurately between hospitals, nursing homes and groups that provide home care.
The organizations will create a Universal Transfer Form that would include treatment plans, medication lists and other important information. The form will be designed so it can be easily understood by patients as well as doctors.
Officials say the system, expected to start running within four months, will allow transfer of information between facilities that already keep electronic records, and those that do not.
The program is being funded by $1.7 million in federal stimulus funds.
