Electronic Medical Records, known as EMRs for short, usually work behind the scenes in hospitals and clinics. But as their use rapidly expands, they’re now literally ready for primetime. The computerized systems, which create comprehensive digital patient records, got the glittering Hollywood-treatment on last night’s episode of NBC’s The Biggest Loser, which is leaving the inefficiency of paper records behind when documenting medical results for the contestants.
‘Losers’ win! Throughout Season 9 of
The Biggest Loser, the show’s doctor, Robert Huizenga, M.D, will access the health records of contestants using GE’s Centricity EMR.
While the broadcast exposure in front of millions of viewers is certainly fun, GE’s Centricity EMR team says that using the system on the popular show can play an important role in helping to elevate awareness among patients and doctors about the power healthcare IT has in improving care.
The technology, which is already used by thousands of clinicians every day, will show how going digital can help reduce costs, increase access and improve care — all of which are goals of GE’s healthymagination initiative. For example, EMRs do more than simply replace a doctor’s paper chart. These systems check for drug interactions, flag health protocols when it comes to procedures and health maintenance, and they track a patient’s condition over time. And for clinics such as the ones featured in our recent story about Collier Health Services in Florida, EMRs are helping to connect doctors in 10 different clinics. The technology allows patients in the system to access care from multiple locations — and it provides other practical benefits, such as letting the doctor electronically transmit prescriptions to pharmacies, which dramatically cuts wait times.
High tech for low pounds: The Biggest Loser challenges and encourages overweight contestants to shed pounds in a safe manner through comprehensive diet and exercise. The series has become a worldwide hit airing in over 90 countries and produced in 25 countries.
* Learn more about GE’s Electronic Medical Records
* See a short clip of the EMR on the show
Read about GE’s EMRs and healthcare IT work in these GE Reports stories:
* “Forging a ‘triangle of care’ with EMRs in Plano, Texas”
* “Inside the revolution at Intermountain Healthcare”
* “GE launches eHealth unit to better connect clinical info”
* “Flu fighters: CDC picks GE Healthcare to track H1N1”
* ”GE tests technology to boost CDC’s rapid-response”
* “GE’s EMRs: Connecting the docs in 10 communities”
