Group To Provide Medical Record Software to Migrant Workers in Sonoma Valley
In an effort to improve health care for migrant workers, Visitantes Información Acceso will provide medical record software to migrant workers in Sonoma Valley. The bilingual software will let migrant workers store information from previous physician or hospital visits, eliminating the need for physicians to "start from scratch" when treating migrant workers, according to one doctor who will participate in the project. The project will use software from Medical Management Resources, a Sonoma-based technical assistance firm, to store online patients' medical information, including prescriptions, immunization records and contact information for the last physician and clinic visited. Workers participating in the project also will receive an e-mail account, an ID card and dedicated server space for storing their medical records. "Many [migrant] workers have significant health care needs, including chronic conditions," Cynthia Solomon, founder of MMR, said, adding, "Most of these workers rely on rural health clinics and federally funded migrant clinics for their health care. Once they are treated and move on, there is no way to track their health status or treatment plan." Not-for-profit Rural Communities Assistance will provide an $80,000 grant to fund the project (Steakley, Wired News, 10/24). For more iHealth & Technology stories, visit iHealthBeat.org, a new Web publication sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation.
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.