Drowning in Paper? Come to Vendor Fair April 9 and Learn About Optical Scanning and Electronic Records

All doctors, nurses and other employees are encouraged to attend a vendor fair April 9 in McClellan Hall to learn how optical scanning and electronic records technology can help manage patient medical record documents. The fair is part of Jefferson's search for a system to help automate and manage the document work flow of the medical record department and related departments.

"We will be evaluating presentations of four vendors and encourage clinicians and employees to attend, ask questions and fill out evaluation forms," says Stephanie M. Hettel, director, medical record department.

"Converting medical records to an automated optical scanning system will have a ripple effect touching every part of the patient care process. That's why it's important that as many clinical staff and employees as possible have the chance to see the resources available and offer their feedback," Ms. Hettel explains.

The overall goal is to set up a Document Management System (DMS) for the University to help our clinicians make the transition from paper-based to computer-based patient records. This effort is being carried out by a DMS project team using a committee and subcommitte structure.

The University chose our patient medical record documents as the application area to install document imaging, workflow management, mass archival storage and other technologies that make up a DMS. Among the benefits of DMS technology are reduced costs, improved cash flow, and increased availability and efficiency of document handling.

The vendor fair will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call Ms. Hettel at 8948 for more information and the day's schedule.