BENDIGO Health patients have been asked to tolerate possible delays this weekend as the hospital flips the switch on a new, comprehensive electronic record keeping system.
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Treatment and medical details will be available in an instant for health professionals in any part of the hospital with the new system-wide the electronic patient record.
It's a move away from the mix of paper and digital forms currently in use.
But the organisation has warned it will be a challenging time for staff, as they learn to use the new and complex system.
Bendigo Health chief executive Peter Faulkner asked patients to be kind as the new system might slow things down for a while.
Mr Faulkner said the electronic patient records was a significant development, bringing Bendigo Health into line with international best practice.
The system has been years in the making, heavily configured for Bendigo Health's circumstances, Mr Faulkner said.
He said said staff would be better able to collaborate with records available to multiple clinicians at one time, while automated functions meant they would have more time to care.
"This is of real benefit to patient safety. Electronic medical records ... are based around clinical best practice," Mr Faulkner said.
"They have the best scientific knowledge embedded in the system that aid decision-making and they also provide access to the patient's record, wherever clinical staff may be."
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Chief medical officer Diana Badcock asked people to only use the emergency department for major accidents or emergencies over the weekend, as it adjusted to the new system.
She asked for kindness from patients if staff were a bit slow.
Dr Badcock said initially the ePR would delay things slightly, despite eventually speeding them up.
"It will give us improved effectiveness and improved safety, through visibility," Dr Badcock said.
"We will be able to see what people ordered, why they ordered, and why they thought they had to deviate from usual practice.
"Ultimately we would expect improved patient satisfaction with our service, and when the staff get used to the system, staff satisfaction will improve."
Hospital staff will switch on the new system at 7am on Saturday.
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Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
