A continuing commitment
New clinical documentation
system to improve communication
Thanks to a new computer application rolled out last month, referring
physicians will receive the most up-to-date clinical information
on the patients they refer to Children's Hospital Boston
in a more timely and reliable manner. The Web-based system known
as Electronic Clinical Documentation (ECD) was designed by Children's
Information Services Department to enhance functionality and replace
a more archaic, character-based application called Electronic
Signature (ESIG).
“The vast majority of referring physicians will receive
clinical notes via fax at the time Children's attending physicians
electronically sign them,” says Daniel Nigrin, MD, MS,
chief information officer. “Physicians in the community with
admitting privileges to Children's who are currently able
to edit and authenticate documents can also use ECD.”
In addition to having a much more intuitive and streamlined graphical
Web interface than the previous application, Children's physicians
can view lab results and create documents such as operative notes,
clinic notes and discharge summaries in the same system where
they sign them. Other new functions include:
Inserting portions of previous clinical documents into the document
being edited.
- Creating, managing and inserting templates.
- Editing CC lists.
- Adding “sticky note” messages.
- Adding an addendum to an existing authenticated document.
