“In the near future, our electronic systems will have enhanced capabilities, such as greater mobility and integration of systems, to provide the advanced technology we believe patients of the 21st Century deserve.”
—Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, chief medical officer and president of the clinical services group at HCA

New electronic tools help protect patients while enhancing quality of care.  
icture archiving and communication systems (PACS) and electronic medication administration records (eMAR) are among the advanced technologies that enable physicians and nurses at Trident Health System to offer patients the best care available.
A New Era in Imaging
PACS provides medical personnel with convenient access to electronic medical images.
In contrast to physically transporting film, PACS allows images from tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans and X-rays to be viewed immediately. Consulting physicians not only have concurrent access to the new images, but PACS stores patient records and earlier tests for comparison to aid in diagnosis.
“PACS has revolutionized the way physicians work,” says Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, chief medical officer and president of the clinical services group at HCA. “The accessibility of records via PACS increases efficiency and therefore enhances the quality of care we can offer our patients.”
Patient Benefits
PACS stores high-resolution images, which allow physicians to enlarge areas of interest and enhance clarity. Clearer images lead to faster analyses.
Another benefit PACS offers patients is the assurance that records are safely archived. The secure system means only appropriate medical personnel can access the information. In addition, unlike traditional film, PACS digital records are far less vulnerable to being physically misplaced or damaged while in storage or in transit.
Supporting Safety
Like PACS, eMAR benefits both healthcare workers and patients. Because patient safety is priority one, eMAR technology has been implemented to ensure the “five rights” for medication administration: that the right person be given the right dosage of the right medication at the right time via the right route. With eMAR, each patient wears a bar-coded armband, and each medication is labeled with its own bar code, thus significantly reducing any possibility of a medication error compared to traditional non-electronic processes.
“Knowing that a computer is verifying every step to ensure accuracy allows our patients to feel confident they are receiving the best service possible,” says Joseph Mullaney, MD, chief of medical staff at Trident and Summerville Medical Centers.
To learn more about our full range of medical services, visit tridenthealthsytem.com.