A Case of Murder and EHRs -- Chapter Five
A Case of Murder and EHRs
Copyright 2007 by Peter J. Groen and Jaime Nasuti.
Published with permission of the co-authors.
CHAPTER FIVE
The director, chief of staff, and Dr. Douglas, the head of Cardiology, were there to meet the congressman when the limousine pulled up at the entrance to the emergency department. Dr. Douglas immediately noticed the flushed appearance and perspiration on Congressman Martin's brow as he emerged from the limo. His grip, when they shook hands, was weak. He immediately ushered the congressman into a small examination room, asking the security detail and other bystanders to remain outside.
During the brief physical exam, Dr. Douglas noticed other troubling symptoms. Stan had a slight fever, but that could have been from the summer heat. He also had elevated blood pressure and complained of an extreme headache. Dr. Douglas also noticed a slight slurring for his words -- a cause of great concern. Because the congressman had undergone a physical check-up during a recent visit to the VA Medical Center in Washington D.C., Dr. Douglas was able to bring up a copy of his electronic medical record on the computer terminal. The doctor also noticed that there was a flashing button on the screen indicating additional information was available from the military's Walter Reed Medical Center, where Stan had been previously treated. In just minutes, the doctor had a fairly good medical history on his new patient.
It became immediately apparent that Congressman Martin needed to be hospitalized and further tests run. Something serious was afoot. The doctor called for a nurse and they used the computer to quickly admit the patient and find and reserve a bed and room in the Cardiac Care Unit. Dr. Douglas also entered into the hospital's computer system orders for an X-ray, lab work and a CT scan of the congressman's head.
Stan was impressed by the speed, professionalism, and quality of the care he was receiving. In particular, it was the use of the computerized patient record system that really caught his attention.