When Arizona Medical Clinic (AMC) implemented the Logician Electronic Medical Records System (EMRS) in 1995, the group gained a fast, state-of-the-art, secure method of communicating patient information, according to Terry Daly, Director of Health Information Services at the Clinic.

Although the system has many advantages, Ms. Daly says one of the most important ones for patients is the quick electronic accessibility of patient records for the physicians. Through EMRS, physicians can obtain all pertinent patient information, well organized on a single computer screen, in the doctor's office or in the examining room. That way, Ms. Daly notes, the physician can quickly review the patient's complaint in conjunction with the medication lists, allergies and directives, recent lab and exam results, and other documents such as recent visits and phone notes. And more detailed information, including the patient's complete history, is just a mouse click away.

The system also can make immediately available all insurance information about the patient, including the patients plan formulary, or a list of the covered drugs. That way, the physician can check to see if a planned prescription is on the plan formulary, and, if not, the possible alternatives.

AMC Primary Care Physicians (PCP's) and Specialists alike can also access their patient's records through EMRS, Ms. Daly said. This improves and speeds communication between PCP's and Specialists, she notes, incorporating "flags" to alert physicians to exam and test results, as well as to provide referral information.

The system can provide information about almost any condition; the physician can print out handouts while the patient is in the office.

EMRS is very beneficial for nurses and staff, as well, Ms. Daly says. In addition to improving communication, nurses are freed of the necessity of tracking mislaid charts.

Also, AMC physicians can update their patient records even while at the hospital, and hospitalists use EMRS to keep PCP's informed of their patients status.

"This system is widely used by progressive groups", Ms. Daly notes. "NASA even uses it to track astronauts' medical records."