ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD

On August 7, 2007, Memorial Hospital went live with the new electronic medical record called the Physician Portal.  All physicians should now have an assigned  user ID and password.  Training has been offered in an ongoing, individual manner. 

This system contains the patient’s lab, pathology, and x-ray results, as well as H&P’s, discharge summaries, consultation reports, meds, vital signs, I&O’s, and other pertinent patient information.  Physicians still write orders in the paper chart, but the nurses document electronically.

If for any reason you have not been trained or need a refresher course or have any other questions about the system, please contact one of the following individuals for assistance:

Kathy Arnold, X5325
Monica Clark, X1420
Renee Tulloch, X5723

If you have forgotten your PIN number for the completion of records, please contact IS to reset the number at 873-6484.

JCAHO Update

JCAHO surveys will not count the use of unapproved abbreviations as an occurrence even if they are clarified. In response to this new requirement, the Medical Executive Committee for Memorial Hospital has decided to take a zero tolerance stance for the use of unapproved abbreviations.

Memorial Hospital’s Chief of Staff is sending letters to physicians who continue to use unapproved abbreviations.

JCAHO’s official “do not use” abbreviations are as follows.

U (unit)
IU (International Unit)
Q.D., QD, q.d., qd (daily)
Q.O.D., QOD, q.o.d., qod (every other day)
Trailing zero (X.0 mg)*
Lack of leading zero (.X mg)
MS, MSO4 and MgSO4

Physician Portal Training

Please contact Monica Clark at (813) 342-1420 or Kathy Arnold at (813) 873-6400 ext 5325 if you or your staff need access and training. The Physician Portal will enable in-office access to hospital records, radiology, lab and pathology reports, face sheets and other clinical information. Films such as MRIs, CTs, X-ray, Nuclear Med., and Ultrasound can be viewed online from your office computer.

Lap-Band Surgery Now Available
At Memorial Hospital

The gastric bypass is not your patient’s only weight loss option. The new LAP-BAND System is a breakthrough procedure for long-term weight loss with minimal risks and side effects.

The LAP-BAND SYSTEM ADVANTAGES
• Minimally invasive
• Avoid stomach stapling and intestinal re-routing
• Only adjustable option for customized results
• Completely reversible
• Gradual, healthy and sustained weight loss

For more information, contact the Memorial Hospital of Tampa Bariatrics Hotline at (813) 342-1428.

AND THE NECK BONE IS CONNECTED TO THE BACK BONE...

Memorial Diagnostic Center recently acquired a new, state-of-the-art LUNAR bone densitometer for axial measurement of bone density. This highly sensitive densitometer identifies bone loss at a major fracture site in just minutes.

Along with the standard sites we also offer:

Dual Femur measurement to assess the average density of both femurs for confident patient management along with Total Body which measures both bone density and body fat. It is an excellent tool to assess weight loss therapies, endocrine/growth disorders, and patients with secondary osteoporosis.

Research conducted by the National Osteoporosis Foundation suggests that low bone density, particularly for postmenopausal women, may indicate the need for drug therapy to reduce the risk of hip and spine fractures. The earlier the bone loss is detected, the sooner drug therapy can be instituted and the bone loss halted. Bone density measurements can also evaluate response to treatment so that we know whether the prescribed therapy is effective or if we need to modify our approach.

We are ready to assist you by providing early detection of low bone density, so call to schedule your patients today at 873-6460.