GE Healthcare

Evans Medical Group, P.C.

Evans Medical Group, a primary-care and pediatrics practice in Augusta, Georgia, includes four physicians who care for more than 1,500 patients each month. In order to improve efficiency and patient quality, the medical group purchased GE’s electronic medical records (EMR) system, Centricity® Electronic Medical Record. The group preferred GE’s product because the program could be designed around physicians’ needs, instead of making physicians conform to the program.

Evans Medical Group was one of the first groups to use Centricity EMR in its very first version. The 1996 program was not as flexible and did not have as much clinical content as it does today, so the physicians used creative methods to do the things they envisioned. The group also grew to appreciate GE’s approach to software development. Instead of dreaming up a finished product, the Centricity EMR team created a framework and solicited feedback from doctors to flesh it out.

After more than a decade of using the program, Centricity EMR is an integral part of the daily routine at Evans Medical Group. The providers use a mix of desktops, thin-client workstations, and laptops on a wireless LAN to access information from anywhere. They can dial in to the system over a secure VPN, allowing them to look up a patient’s history from home or hospital in the middle of the night. The EMR imports demographic data from the practice management system. When the front desk makes an appointment for a new client, Centricity EMR uses that data to create a patient chart without anyone having to type in information. The system also interfaces with their primary lab, so results are automatically imported into patient charts. Providers enter encounter data in several ways: first, the nurses input data from questionnaires that the patients fill out. The physicians also enter data directly into the EMR, either by typing in the exam room while the patient talks, using the dropdown lists or radio buttons to select choices, or typing their findings after the visit. Evans hasn’t used a transcriptionist in nearly six years.

Writing prescriptions is easier and safer with Centricity EMR; the software checks for drug interactions and counter indications, flagging the provider if there’s a potential problem. Being able to print prescriptions from the system also eliminates handwriting errors. The orders feature of Centricity EMR simplifies lab and radiology tests. The local providers accept Evans Medical Group’s printed form as a lab requisition, which lets the practice link problems on the patient’s problem list with the ordered test, simplifying authorization. Even handling patient phone calls is easier with Centricity EMR. This practice developed a custom form with its own protocols, which allows nursing staff to handle most phone calls without physician approval. The chart is always available, and the patient’s medication list is always complete and up-to-date.

In addition to cost savings, Centricy has allowed for greater patient care, including disease management. The system uses graphs to illustrate to patients how important certain tests and medication management are in controlling their conditions. In addition to disease management, Centricity EMR’s database search capabilities make it easy to provide better care to entire populations. Because almost half of their practice is pediatrics, Evans Medical Group’s business falls off dramatically during the summer. The medical group decided it would be a great time to catch everyone up on their routine check-ups, so they created staff incentives for finding patients who needed to come in. With a quick search in Centricity EMR, the practice was able to find all the diabetics who hadn’t been seen in six months; all the people with hypertension who hadn’t had a check-up in nine months; all the infants more than three months old who hadn’t had their first DTaP shot. The staff then contacted these patients (or their parents) and encouraged them to set up appointments, making last June one of the practice’s busiest months ever.

Though some critics say small practices can’t afford EMRs, Evans says they made it work with no outside funds. They note that they are financially successful because Centricity EMR is fully integrated into every aspect of their practice.

Results

• Evans estimates that the group saves approximately $183,000 per year in staff time and other efficiencies.
• Vaccination rates are up, insurance chart audits consistently get the highest ratings possible, and patient volume and quality of care have both increased.
• Evans Medical Group uses the Centricity system so effectively that it won the prestigious 2003 Davies Award of Excellence, given by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) to recognize the effective use of technology for improving healthcare.

***Submitted by Jenn Francis, Public Relations, GE Healthcare IT, jennifer.n.francis@ge.com

Published: January 26, 2009