Westshore Family Medicine recently received Second Quarter 2004 results at the Summary Conference of Practice Partner Research Network (PPRNet). Dr. Michael Banka, Medical Director of Westhore Family Medicine attended the Conference to represent the practice. PPRNet was formed in 1995 as a collaborative effort between Department of Family Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina and Physician Micro Systems, Inc. While physician networks have been in existence for some time, PPRNet is unique in its approach, requiring that all members must be able to capture patient information from an electronic medical record.

PPRNet has 76 benchmark criteria that are studied and Westshore Family Medicine hit the target in 22 of the indicators; this required achieving the 90th percentile of the study group. Areas that are measured include, Diabetes Mellitus, Heart Disease and Stroke, Cancer Screening, Immunizations, Respiratory Disease/Infectious Disease, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Nutrition and Obesity and Inappropriate Prescribing in the Elderly.

One of the reasons for Westshore Family Medicine's success is the engagement of their staff in treating the whole patient. Clinical support staff has been an integral part of this by working with patients before the physician sees them. They inform the physician of various medications that haven't been taken, locate labs or cultures that are missing and order needed tests per protocol. They also educate patients on the importance of keeping up to date with their health promotion activities. Physicians in this practice have taken a proactive approach by routinely reviewing their records to make sure their patients are up to date on their care.

Currently, there are 79 practices in the United States that are participating in this network with the goal being 100 practices by 2005. PPRNet is the first practice-based research network that links physicians who use electronic medical records for their patients. A patient database is comprised of data from the electronic medical records (EMRs) from physicians who participate in the United States. All patient records are safe and secure through PPRNet?s design of their system by assigning patients an identification number, which matches the patient name at their local physician's office.

Westshore Family Medicine is part of Mercy General Health Partners (MGHP) Primary Care Network. In late July, MGHP launched Project Genesis; a hospital based electronic health record system. The system promises to increase patient safety and cut costs by reducing the potential for human error.