[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1958-E1959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                APPLAUDING LOUISVILLE'S JEWISH HOSPITAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANNE M. NORTHUP

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, October 9, 2004

  Mrs. NORTHUP. Mr Speaker I rise today to recognize the incredible 
accomplishments of one my district's premier hospitals in the field of 
medical technology advancements. Jewish Hospital HealthCare Services is 
a regional network of more than 50 health care facilities providing 
services for Kentucky and Southern Indiana residents. It has recently 
opened the doors of a ``next generation'' medical center, Jewish 
Hospital Medical Center East, offering the region's most advanced 
outpatient diagnostic procedures and treatment options in the areas of 
outpatient surgery, endoscopy, gender-specific medicine, diagnostic 
medical imaging, cardiopulmonary services, rehab services and 
occupational health.
  Earlier this year, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson 
announced a legislative plan to electronically link health records 
nationwide, part of President Bush's call for an electronic health 
record for every American in the next 10 years. The aim is to make 
patient information available to several

[[Page E1959]]

physicians in multiple locations and to expand the capacity for 
monitoring disease trends and other indicators, as well as to 
facilitate research.
  The benefit of linking medical records nationwide is clear: even when 
you are out of town and unable to reach your doctor or hospital, the 
staff at any ER or medical facility will have your medical history 
available at their fingertips. That can save valuable--possibly life-
saving time. It is the healthcare of the future, but it's already 
happening in Louisville at Jewish Hospital.
  The electronic health records system in place at Jewish Hospital 
Medical Center East is now referred to as a ``show-site'' for medical 
technology. Accessing medical records, in the past, would take anywhere 
from 30 minutes to an hour. Now the process is instantaneous. And 
according to an HHS report, only 13 percent of hospitals and between 14 
and 28 percent of physician practices have such computerized patient 
records. The Louisville facility is, indeed, ahead of the curve.
  I applaud the efforts and advancements in medicine pursued by 
Louisville's Jewish Hospital and offer them up as a model of health 
care excellence for the nation.

                          ____________________