CNEA Question #2, Hybrid environment of paper and electronic charts

Chart retirement

Redwood Community Health Coalition's health centers have moved quite quickly to electronic charts. The policy is determined by the health centers. For the most part, paper charts are being kept on site for a year and then they are moved to storage. However, the providers are asking for them much less than we had anticipated. Now that we have 4 health centers live (17 sites), we should evaluate that experience.

Chart pulled routinely for the visit

For visits during the week or so after the Go-Live, the paper chart is pulled for the visit. Most of our providers wean themselves quite quickly. If they need to refer to the paper chart, it is available to them upon request. The most significant variable is the provider comfort level with the electronic chart. For the most complex patients, health centers have prioritized getting the medication and problem lists abstracted into the electronic chart prior to the visit.