By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Technology costs money but it can also save money. At Tuesday's Barton County Commission meeting, Health Department Director Karen Winkelman asked the board for the annual renewal of the electronic medical records program Nightingale Notes.
"We implemented it in December 2017 and, as of Friday, we had 30,928 clients in it," Winkelman said. "We have greatly enjoyed having that. It allows us also, with an EMR, not to have paper charts and to buy all those supplies for paper charts and the staff time to put those together."
Staff also uses the software for documentation, billing, scanning in documents, and sending out vaccine and appointment reminders. Winkelman said data from the software can be compiled for grant applications.
Fewer than 20 counties in Kansas use Nightingale Notes, but Winkelman said that is enough to get support when questions arise. The commission approved the renewal, good through Feb. 28, 2025, for $31,218.