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October 12, 2012

Accenture to Implement EHR System for Norwegians



Accenture just signed a five-year contract with the Norwegian Directorate of Health to begin implementing Norway’s electronic health record (EHR) system. EHR, which is a relatively new technology, helps organizations change over their health records from the traditional paper version to an online folder.

By developing this new solution, Norway will be able to create an entire online health record system for more than five million citizens.

In theory, EHR was designed to help medical professionals record patient information in a digital formation that could be shared across multiple healthcare settings. Say, for example, you live in New York and you get sick in North Carolina. Doctors would have access to your complete medical history with the click of a button, as opposed to wasting precious time calling family and your regular physician.

EHR systems can include everything from full medical history, medication and allergies, laboratory results, personal stats, vital signs, billing information, and even radiology images. They can also save large sized hospitals money by allowing them to reduce the cost of office expenses and paperwork.

Less paperwork allows physicians to work more, which could also help offset any cost to implement the system.

Although this technology is still new, it can become a critical component to the medical industry.

“We believe Norway’s efforts will enable meaningful advances to their healthcare system by increasing the effectiveness of patient care,” said Tonje Sanderg, who leads Accenture’s Health & Public Service business in Norway. “Using the Norway EHR system, medical professionals will have access to a single patient record that consolidates all medical history across the health continuum.”

In addition to medical professionals, patients will also have access to their own medical records in real time through an online platform. This will allow patients to get the latest information regarding their health, as well as ensure their file is updated and is accurate.




Edited by Braden Becker
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