The Placer County Board of Supervisors today approved the implementation of electronic medical records in the county’s Community Clinics. This use of state-of-the-art technology will enhance patient care and clinic operations.

“With nearly 40,000 patient visits each year, maintaining medical records electronically will allow the clinics to improve patient care by providing immediate access to a patient’s medical history,” said Dr. Alex Klistoff, M.D., Medical Director of Community Clinics, “and the system will also allow the clinics to quickly and securely share appropriate medical information with hospitals and other specialists caring for county clinic patients.”

Implementation of electronic medical records will eliminate the need to store paper documents, improve efficiency and accuracy when providers order pharmaceuticals and diagnostic tests, and strengthen the clinic’s ability to control and track access to patient records.

Placer County Health and Human Services clinics were awarded $115,000 of federal funding to implement the EMR system. The county will contribute $28,000 to the total implementation costs, but expects to recoup this investment within 18 months through reduced administrative support costs and enhanced clinic efficiency.

Placer County has elected to implement an EMR system known as Epic Care which is already being used by Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, Sutter Roseville Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center and most of the larger physician medical groups serving Placer County residents.

“I am pleased that Placer County HHS has been able to leverage four dollars of federal money for every dollar of county general fund invested in implementing Epic Care. The electronic medical record is an essential tool to help HHS further enhance patient care and reflects Placer County’s commitment to access all available state and federal resources that will benefit Placer County residents.” said Dr. Richard Burton, M.D., M.P.H., County Health Officer and Director of Health and Human Services.