At the Nov. 15 Semiannual Medical Staff Meeting, hematologist Sue SORENSEN, SHC’s deputy chief of medicine, PHOTO [2], asks Carolyn BYERLY, SHC’s chief information officer, PHOTO [1] about how community physicians will be able to schedule the 12 to 16 hours of training required to use the hospital’s new Epic integrated patient record system.

Byerly said training on the new system, which is being implemented over the next three years, is expected to be spread out to minimize scheduling impact for physicians. In response to questions on another topic, the CIO said that voice recognition software for Epic and wireless internet access for patients and families are likely future enhancements at SHC.

Other medical staff members were interested in how physicians can input their progress notes, and Chief of Staff Larry SHUER, PHOTO [3], jumped in to explain that among several options will be scripted texts, or pick lists, which can be easily adapted and edited, then later searched and ultimately used for research. “Epic will be the single source of information about our patients, and will be available not only in the hospital, but also in your office and home,” Byerly told physicians. [SEE MORE]

Medical center leaders have proposed a major building project intended to meet seismic standards, community needs and advances in medicine.

A preliminary plan was presented at a Palo Alto City Council study session Nov. 20, following a preview the evening before by Mark TORTORICH, SHC vice president for planning, design and construction, at the Medical Staff’s semiannual meeting.

Tortorich told the physician audience that two office buildings used as physician office space — at 703 Welch Road and 1101 Welch Road — would be torn down. However, he emphasized that clinical office space, reserved for community health providers, would be available at a reconfigured Hoover Pavilion and also at a planned 100,000-square-foot office building proposed for the Hoover site. [SEE MORE]