Health IT behind bars

[rninformatics, DNP, RN]

What a great bi-line, hum?

From Government Health IT

In an ambitious overhaul, California plans electronic medical recordkeeping for all prison inmates by 2013

Until recently, California's record of health care for its prison inmates was abysmal. After lawsuits and a federal takeover, however, the state stands to have one of the best systems in the country in the next few years. It will be fueled by a massive investment in health information technology.

By the end of next year, if things go as planned, a high-speed fiber-optic network will link California's 33 prisons, and each institution will have a fast local-area network connecting all its buildings. The goal is to have the entire system's medical recordkeeping and other processes fully electronic by 2013.

Overall, state officials are tackling more than 20 projects, initiatives and programs as part of an ambitious plan to improve the prison health care system.

"The adoption of both basic IT and health IT is absolutely central to our ability to deliver quality health care," said J. Clark Kelso, a former California chief information officer whom the court appointed to oversee the reform efforts.

So if you're looking for a position you may want to check out your local Prison system!!!!!!!!!!????

To read the full article:

http://www.govhealthit.com/print/4_21/strategies/350576-1.html?adcode=MS_HEALTH