J.C. Blair could receive electronic records system
Federal bill would provide $100,000 grantBy Cori Bolger, cbolger@altoonamirror.com
HUNTINGDON - J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital could receive a new $100,000 electronic medical records system as part of a federal bill that focuses on health care, education and labor projects.
The Huntingdon hospital is one of 30 recipients in central Pennsylvania set to receive funding through the 2009 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill.
The bill, pushed forward by U.S. Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey Jr., was approved Wednesday by the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee.
The bill, which did not include agencies from Blair County, will await action on the Senate floor. It must be approved by the House of Representatives and President George W. Bush before funding is final.
''I am pleased my colleagues have approved this important funding for central Pennsylvania,'' Specter said. ''Health and education are our nation's greatest capital assets, and these projects are vital to ensuring quality health care and education for the area's residents.''
The proposed records system will help J.C. Blair focus on improving patient safety and reducing the cost of health care, according to a press release.
The hospital, which already uses an electronic records system in its emergency department, hopes to expand it throughout the facility.
''In 2004, George Bush challenged hospitals to develop this type of technology. ... For a small hospital like ours, the cost is insurmountable to implement such a system without the added support,'' said Chris Gildea, hospital spokeswoman. ''Grants like this will help us further our efforts and meet our goals.''
