06/01/2007

Intel exec pushes for more access to health information

By BILL O'BRIEN

bobrien@record-eagle.com

MACKINAC ISLAND — Craig Barrett runs one of the world's largest computer companies, but wonders why he has to fill out five pages of hand-written paperwork to get a yearly physical at his doctor's office.

Barrett, chairman of the board and a former CEO at Intel Corp., said patients should have electronic access to their medical records just like they do with their bank accounts. His thoughts were among a host of ideas for improving the nation's health-care system that were discussed Thursday at the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel.

"Wherever you go in the world, you should have access to your health information,” Barrett said.

Expanding the use of technology in health care is critical to making the system more efficient and less expensive, Barrett said. Remote diagnostic and monitoring technology for patients that's used in the U.S. military and in some prison systems, along with the use electronic prescription processing, would reduce the need for hospital visits and stays and cut down on medication errors by doctors and patients.

"The technology is there,” he said. "We can make these things happen relatively instantly.”

Another technology giant, Pitney Bowes Inc., reduced its health care costs by offering employees monetary incentives to improve their well-being and reduce at-risk behaviors like smoking. Pitney Bowes executive Chairman Michael Critelli said the company also offers in-house health clinics at its larger offices and subsidizes fitness center memberships for workers to help them avoid costlier health problems down the road.

"In America, we're paying for a disease-care system, not a health-care system,” Critelli said. "Too many people in our system use the emergency room as their primary care provider.”

Ed Ness, president of Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, agreed that electronic medical records would improve the system's efficiency, but said it would be cost-prohibitive for some employers, including smaller operations like those in northern Michigan.

"It really is a good, quality care enhancement,” Ness said. "I will say it is a very expensive thing to do.”

Munson is among a group of regional hospitals seeking grant assistance to create a "community health information system” that would include creation of more electronic medical records, Ness said. The hospital also is working with area business groups to expand worker wellness and improved fitness efforts in the region.

"That really is the big initiative we see,” Ness said. "Improving the health of the employees, in the end, is really the only way to reduce costs.”