It's been two years since the "millennium" and our lives continue to be challenged by a variety of new enhancements - especially with technology. Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental is fortunate to be one of eight Boston HealthNet Health Centers to receive a grant from an anonymous donor to implement an electronic medical records system (EMR). Medical facilities which have switched to an electronic record system, are able to perform medication refills efficiently; providers can access records in a secure manner from almost any location and patient records are never lost! A variety of checklists, reminders for preventive screenings and templates for data collection have made the electronic medical record the preferred system. However, the reality is that EMR requires considerable training and maintenance before, during and after implementation. Physicians, nurses, and other health professionals will be working very hard this spring and summer when we go live sometime June/July. Your patience and understanding during this difficult transition will be greatly appreciated.
In this last fiscal/calendar year, the health center again found itself in a strong position both with volume and revenue. At 95% provider capacity, our staff continues to give wonderful patient care despite overcrowded quarters. A recent health care financial consultant helping us with our new building plans was amazed that we were able to handle our current patient volume. Normally, health care architects estimate that efficient health center practices can provide between 2.2 and 3.0 visits per square foot annually. GRMDC, however, currently services a much higher 4 visits annually per square foot. This is an amazing accomplishment especially given the noisy basketball court on the floor above us! Kudos to all the providers and support staff who every day team up together to make this a strong neighborhood resource.
Despite ending the last year in a very good financial position, reductions in grant revenue are expected this current year. Unfortunately, our successful full time grant funded tobacco program was eliminated in the fall as part of the State's budget cuts. Given the State's dismal financial picture, Mass Health payments at current levels are being threatened. Additional new and proposed reductions of health care services to vulnerable patients are presenting unfortunate barriers to medically necessary health care. It will take many miracles to solve the State's deep financial problems. We must all ensure that our citizens, especially the most vulnerable are not forgotten. Basic health care needs must be made available to everyone. I urge all community residents and leaders to keep informed about these issues and let your City and State government officials aware of your opinions so that they may be supportive. We must all advocate for a healthy and viable community.
Barbara Lottero, RN, MS