Report Title:

Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; Electronic Medical Record System

Description:

Appropriates funds for the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to develop an electronic medical record information system.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

944

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to hawaii health systems corporation.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, more people die in the United States each year from avoidable medical errors than from traffic accidents. The Institute reported that new tools and health information systems could have thwarted many of these errors.

The National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics claims the lack of complete and comprehensive patient medical record information is a major constraint on the ability of the healthcare delivery system to enhance quality, improve productivity, manage costs, and safeguard data.

The lack of quick and accurate access to complete patient information results in widespread inefficiencies such as redundant medical tests, lost diagnostic images, pharmaceutical errors, and incorrect documentation. An electronic medical record information system is a requisite to ensuring quality in clinical disciplines and in ambulatory, hospital, and long-term care.

The Hawaii health systems corporation (HHSC) is a public hospital system, the nation's fourth largest, with one thousand two hundred fifty beds on five islands. HHSC is the largest healthcare provider for neighbor island residents, providing acute, rural, and long-term care. In addition to serving community needs, the facilities provide healthcare to thousands of neighbor island visitors and tourists each year.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to HHSC for an electronic medical record information system.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $3,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004 for an electronic medical record information system.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii health systems corporation.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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