Digital Health Care Reform might sound boring but its actually really awesome!

The Chicago Tribune ran a story called "Shot in the Arm for Digital Health Care" recently. It includes some examples of just how electronic records systems (ERS) can streamline our health care.

And let me say this: IT REALLY DOES MAKE CARE SO MUCH EASIER.

Where I work, we have ERS rockin'. It makes connecting with the providers so much easier. So we don't over or under screening our patients. And so we don't have to ask patients each and every time for their insurance and/or proof of no insurance information (which is fairly humiliating if you don't have insurance and annoying if you do). When you've got chronic diseases breathing down your neck, these checks and balances are so important.

We are also part of a GREAT state program that does not use ERS (uninsured and in Illinois? Let's talk). It forces us to double our work load to accommodate their need for paper files. And nobody likes to do paperwork - now THAT is boring.

I understand the confidentiality concerns. But, at this point, so much more is at stake. We can't live according to fear - we have to live according to the fabulous possibility of what good we can create. And how we can use technology to our benefits. So that the docs and nurses and MAs can spend more time on care. With less chance for error. And ERS can get us there.

Hurray for ERS!