Building a patient record system. New information technologies will support development of patient-focused care.

As part of its plan to build a regional integrated healthcare delivery network, Genesys Health System, Flint, MI, has been developing a computerized patient record (CPR). The CPR will give users throughout the system immediate access to diagnostic studies, treatment information, discharge summaries, operative reports, x-rays, and other patient information. Before considering technical aspects of the system, healthcare executives considering implementation of a CPR should examine business and clinical issues to determine what they want to accomplish with the CPR. The Genesys information system is being designed with the following goals in mind: Organizing based on patient needs; Allocating resources at the point of care; Working as a broadly skilled, empowered staff; Delegating authority and accountability; Using technology to enable patient-focused care within the context of the system vision. Genesys envisions a CPR system that brings together records from such sources as emergency rooms, outpatient clinics, community service organizations, physicians offices, care teams, managed care companies, and financial systems. Genesys's use of care plans for specified procedures and diagnoses will enable it to use exception-based documentation of care delivered, whereby only departures from the protocol or unexpected outcomes are recorded.