Photo by Kathleen Haskell Dr. Sary Beidas ( left) has patient Ann B. Smith ( right) sign a form to go directly into her electronic medical records from his tablet PC. If you have encountered the medical staff at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center in the past few months you may have noticed physicians and health care workers have a new set of tools in tow in the form of a tablet Person Computer.

Eisenhower is midway through an Army Medical Command initiative to supply health care providers with a computerized suite of tools that will enhance their ability to thoroughly document patient care within the Electronic Medical Records. When complete later this year, the MEDCOM Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application Provider Satisfaction initiative, or “MAPS” for short, will place more than 600 tablet PC’s with Eisenhower medical staff.

These tablet PC’s function like a traditional laptop or can swivel to create a tablet with a writing surface. The devices are loaded with Dragon Medical voice recognition software, Microsoft OneNote, and the macro program As- U-Type. Using Dragon Medical, physicians are able to dictate case notes directly into the medical record. EMRs and this initiative allow Eisenhower to improve medical documentation and accuracy of patient notes, helping them put patient safety first and foremost.

Brig. Gen. W. Bryan Gamble DDEAMC Commanding General This capability cuts down on the time traditionally needed to write or type up comprehensive examination notes and treatment plans. Microsoft OneNote functions as a digital notebook that accepts typed or handwritten input and notes can be written longhand and saved into the medical record as an attachment. Additionally, doctors may wish to draw or illustrate their findings and these can be captured and added to the EMR, and patients can sign consent forms right on the provider’s tablet PC.

The As-U-Type program allows the provider to configure pre-defined key strokes that will add text to records automatically. For instance, if a physician begins with different introductions in the notes based upon the type of examination, they may configure separate key configurations to autopopulate text for each distinct exam. As-U-Type also works as a real-time spell check and monitors information for spelling accuracy as it is being entered into the medical record.

Eisenhower’s Information Management Division began work on the project in December 2008 and expects to have all equipment fully deployed later this year. While the MAPS project is centrally funded by MEDCOM, the local IMD is fully utilizing its best assets to ensure a successful deployment.

Staff physician, Dr. Sary Beidas, was identified as a MAPS clinical champion to work with Eisenhower’s IMD staff. In conjunction with IMD project manager, Tim Geis, and Chief Information Officer, Maj. Eric McClung, the team mapped out a deployment plan that included acquiring the necessary equipment, software, and training resources to ensure that doctors not only received the equipment but had proper training to utilize it to its full potential. IMD has hired additional training instructors to make certain each person issued MAPS equipment receives initial, follow-up, and refresher training on the records systems and the MAPS suite of tools.

The project has proved to be a grueling exercise for the technicians charged with configuring and deploying equipment. IMD Customer Service Center technician, Brent Butler, has handled much of the coordination with medical staff. Most have heavy patient loads and it can be difficult to schedule an hour or more with each physician to move data to their new tablet PC and familiarize them with its functions.

The experience continues to be rewarding for all involved. IMD’s mission is to support Eisenhower’s delivery of healthcare through relevant and reliable Information Technology. Providing physicians and staff with new tools to enhance their ability to provide prompt and attentive care is a satisfying experience for the Eisenhower IT staff. Any decrease in the amount of time physicians spend typing or fumbling with equipment is more time available to focus on the safety and wellness of the patient in front of them.

DDEAMC October Health Observances

Depression Education, Breast Cancer Awareness, Dental Hygiene, Healthy Lung

Upcoming Events

Nuclear Medicine
Week Oct. 4-10
EAMC Physical
Therapy Open House
Oct 22
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
EAMC 1st floor
Retiree Appreciation
Day
Oct. 24
8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Darling Hall
Call 706-791-2654
for more information

Comments, questions or article suggestions? E-mail us at: ikeshealthnet@amedd.army.mil