Duke Medicine: Duke starts transfer to digital electronic health record

Duke University Health System began implementing the first phase of a massive transformation of its information systems this month that will eventually unify electronic medical records and other data across its three hospitals and growing network of clinics and doctors’ offices.

The effort, designed to enable “one patient, one record, one system,” represents a $500 million investment in information technology over the multi-year project. The initial rollout involves 33 primary care practices, including pediatrics, throughout the Triangle and beyond. Additional phases will add all ambulatory clinics and Duke University Hospital (2013), followed by Durham Regional and Duke Raleigh hospitals (2014). By completion in two years, all of DUHS doctors’ offices, clinics and hospitals will utilize a single, integrated technology.

Duke’s investment in electronic health records will help cut medical care costs by enabling its health system doctors to share test results, lab reports and other information. The shared data will curb redundant tests, screenings and scans that can occur when patients seek second opinions, change doctors or access specialty care within the Duke system.

In addition, the state-of-the-art technology, called Duke Maestro Care, will standardize the way medical records are kept, boosting safety and quality by maintaining consistency for safe practices across the health system. Maestro Care will replace more than 135 clinical technology applications currently in use across Duke Medicine.

The new technology also provides a host of benefits for patients, notably by coordinating their care across Duke Medicine, whether they visit their primary care provider’s office, a specialist, urgent care, or the hospital. Each visit will be logged as a chapter in the patient’s medical story, providing care teams across the system with the fullest real-time information for making care decisions.