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About the Authors

Dr. J. Patrick "President Pat" Vandersluis is our fearless leader here at HealthRx. He spends much of his time learning about and researching cardiology, bioengineering, medical informatics, and health IT. Someday Pat plans to write a novel that has nothing to do with any of those things. In his little free time, he enjoys Battlestar Galactica, home improvement, How It's Made, and circus peanuts. Say hi to Pat on email or LinkedIn.

Kelly Morgan is our Director of Marketing and Communication. She is a health communication researcher and Ph.D. candidate, adjunct professor, and a fitness instructor outside of HealthRx. Kelly has also been "fixin' to" finish writing a novel for the last five years, but prefers talking about it to doing it. She also enjoys party stores, ghost stories, fashion mags, The Simpsons, and ginger tea. Holler at Kelly on email, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Facebook, or Twitter.

Patrick Walsh is our COO. He directs operations from our offices in Myrtle Beach (tough duty) and cracks the whip when the rest of us start going down rat holes. Pat is crazy for golf at its highest level (so the Golf Channel is a favorite), American history, classic movies, fast cars (as they go by), and an occasional Rocky Patel and cognac. Send your love to Pat by email .

Eric Morgan is our Director of Advanced Technologies. He specializes in iPad development, but willingly dabbles in less exciting "hacking" as well. In his spare time, Eric brews beer and occupies Micro Center. Eric loves sci-fi, fast cars, Batman, and fancying himself as an Ancient Alien Astronaut Theorist. Transmit geeky messeges to Eric on email or LinkedIn.

Lauren Spengler is our Customer Support Manager.  She spends her time guiding researchers down the easiest path to solving their problems. Lauren has also spearheaded our healthy company fitness initiative! She is a proud cat lady who loves bowling, live music, crafting, indoor rock climbing, painting, and being an advocate for women's health. Tell her all your secrets by email.

Jackson Sunuwar is one of our Software Developers. Outside of work, he plays soccer and cranks up his Xbox with Fifa and Halo. When he wants to show his artsy side, Jackson works on his photography skills with some sweet Nikon cameras and taps into his inner Jason Mraz by playing soft rock/acoustic on his guitar. Send a song request his way by email.

Dylan Pullia is a Software Development Intern. He is currently studying Computer Science at George Mason University and aspires to start his own software company. Outside of work, Dylan likes to play paintball, video games, and work on his own programming projects. Interface with Dylan by email or on Skype at dylan.pulliam.

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Using EMRs to Promote Biosafety

  
  
  

FeEMRderal Government officials, private practices, and health IT advocates alike have one thing on their minds these days: EMRs. Electronic medical records (EMRs) are computerized records "composed of the clinical data repository, clinical decision support, controlled medical vocabulary, order entry, computerized provider order entry, pharmacy, and clinical documentation applications...used by healthcare practitioners to document, monitor, and manage healthcare delivery within" a healthcare organization (HIMSS, 2006). In much simpler terms, an EMR is an electronic version of one's paper patient record that can range in technical complexity from scanned paper documents to a robust data entry system.  EMRs are discussed less frequently in biomedical research support and occupational medicine, yet they carry great importance for promoting biosafety within the organization.

Biomedical research institutions tend to have needs that are different from patient health organizations. Biomedical researchers are not only at risk for traditional health issues, such as asthma and influenza, they are also at risk for nontraditional and potentially lethal work-related injuries and illnesses.  These risks require medical surveillance, used "for the early identification of conditions, if any, that could present an increased risk of adverse health effects related to the task being performed...including the duration of the task, the materials being used, and the potential for exposure" (NCSU, 2011).

By combining an EMR with a traditional medical surveillance program, biomedical research institutions can help protect employees from nontraditional risks, such as HIV needle sticks and tuberculosis. An electronic medical surveillance system allows clinics to proactively recall patients based on workplace risks and enrollment in surveillance programs that match the type of risks they are exposed to in their work.

Having both a patient's medical record and his or her workplace risks in one place allows occupational healthcare providers to have a full view of a patient's current and past health, as well as an understanding of beneficial preventive measures (such as vaccines) that can be tailored to the individual's health and workplace needs. This use of an enhanced EMR technology helps occupational medical providers keep a watchful eye on multiple workers with a wide variety of risks.

 

Patrick Vandersluis

 

 

 

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