Uniontown Hospital using new technology
Doctors at Uniontown Hospital can study a patient’s history and order medication and testing at electronic speed using new computer technology.
A computer system installed in late May through the hospital’s clinical advancement project (CAP) allows doctors to receive test results and prescribe orders on Ipads or laptop computers, preventing nurses from having to decipher written orders.
“I can see what I need to see and act on it,” Dr. Joseph Labuda said as he checked a patient’s records on his Ipad during a visit to one his patient’s rooms to demonstrate the new electronic medication administration record (EMAR) system after the hospital’s board of directors annual public meeting on Thursday.
If a nurse calls about a problem with a patient, Labuda said he can access the secure EMAR system on his Ipad from his home or office anytime to access the patient’s records and send in orders to address the problem.
As with all new technology, there was a bit of a learning curve, but Labuda, who has been a member of the hospital’s staff for 24 years, said EMAR allows him to treat patients faster and more efficiently than was possible with paper records.
The EMAR system is used in the hospital’s pharmacy, emergency and x-ray departments.