INDIANAPOLIS, March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Following President George W. Bush’s recent recommendation which calls upon doctors and hospitals to move their records from paper to electronic files, OrthoIndy and the Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital announced today that both facilities have adopted a paperless system. According to Federal projections released in the January 28 edition of the Washington Post, conversion to a paperless system could reduce medical costs by as much as 20 percent.
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“A paperless system not only saves money, it also maintains organizational effectiveness,” said John Martin, CEO of the Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital. “With a paperless recording system, patients and their families are better safeguarded from medical errors such as illegible handwriting and vital patient information is available within seconds. We believe measures like these will ultimately lead to improved efficiencies and patient outcomes.”
The Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital and OrthoIndy’s digital patient record systems provide caregivers with instant access to potentially lifesaving information such as medical histories, lab test results, MRI, CT and X-Ray reports and patient medications and allergies. This information is stored confidentially, but it can be made available to patients at their request. Additionally, patients can also request that information be shared seamlessly with primary care physicians who may be involved in follow-up or routine care. Presently, records are mailed using the United States Postal Service, but e- mail and Internet capabilities will become available soon.
“The paperless system allows patients to become more involved in the care they receive at the Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital and OrthoIndy,” said Dr. Timothy Dicke, an OrthoIndy hand specialist and president of the Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Executive Committee. “The best patient experiences occur when patients and their families are aware of the care they are receiving. The paperless record system will enable this opportunity.”
About Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital -- Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., the Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital is a physician-owned specialty and surgical hospital focusing on complete musculoskeletal care in an environment that is patient-focused and like-home. Studies commissioned by the American Surgical Hospital Association indicate that this type of an atmosphere contributes to improved patient outcomes. The Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital’s unique relationship with OrthoIndy enables patients to receive coordinated post- operative appointments, consistent communication with primary care physicians and referrals to a state-of-the-art physical therapy center. The Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital is licensed by the Indiana State Department of Health and certified to participate in the Federal Government’s Medicare program. For further information on the Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital, call (317) 956-1010 or visit, http://www.indianaorthopaedichospital.com/ .
About OrthoIndy -- Founded over 40 years ago, OrthoIndy is one of the most highly respected orthopaedic practices in the Midwest. With over 60 physicians providing care to central Ind. residents at twelve locations, OrthoIndy provides leading edge general and sub-specialty orthopaedic care. OrthoIndy physicians also provide care for the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, Indiana Ice, Indianapolis Indians and serve as consultants to the IRL and Champ car circuits. For more information on OrthoIndy, call (317) 802-2000 or visit http://www.orthoindy.com/ .
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CONTACT: Beth King, APR, Media Relations of OrthoIndy and IndianaOrthopaedic Hospital, +1-317-802-2168, or bking@orthoindy.com