If you’ve ever played “telephone tag” with physicians or other providers in order to clarify a patient’s situation, request a formula or diet order change, please read the February edition of MNT Provider (which incidentally is now provided free of charge to all ADA Members.) The front page article on Electronic Health Records Key to Care Coordination between RDs and Other Providersprovides great inspiration to those who hope to see benefits of EHRs. Lee McDonagh, RD, CDE describes the ease of care coordination between the 10 locations of Integrated Health Associates—one of the largest physician group practices in the Ann Arbor, Michigan Area. Her description of how nutrition care has moved to the forefront of this medical home should nudge the rest of us to adopt technology to not only perform our jobs—but actually improve care.
This is a great example of the goal of the HITECH Act—to use technology to improve health. Bring on more stories like this one!