The
next time you check in to a physician’s office, you could have less paperwork to
fill out if lawmakers pass Senate Bill 166. The legislation sponsored by Sen.
Bob Deuell, MD (R-Greenville), would allow physicians’ office staff to swipe
patients’ Texas driver licenses to get the basic information needed when they
check in.
San
Antonio physician Bernard “Buddy” Swift, MD, an occupational medicine
specialist, testified before the state Senate Committee on Agriculture, Rural
Affairs, and Homeland Security this afternoon in support of the legislation.
“SB
166 is a win-win for Texas’ patients and the physicians who care for them,”
said Dr. Swift, who owns Texas MedClinic, a chain of 14 urgent care and
occupational medical clinics in central Texas. “If passed, this legislation
will reduce red tape, increase efficiency, and improve the accuracy of patient
information entered into the patient’s medical record.
“When
patients check in at my office, they receive a ream of paper to fill out by
hand,” Dr. Swift said. “Much of this information already exists on the black
strip on the back of the patient's Texas driver license. Instead of having
patients spend 10 minutes filling out paperwork, and not always with the best
penmanship, my staff could simply swipe their driver license.” This kind of
immediate, accurate information will cut administrative costs, reduce possible
errors, and enhance productivity, he told the committee.
In
2007, Texas approved the use of swiping driver licenses to admit patients to
hospitals. Dr. Swift said that allowing physician practices to do the same is
the next step toward more efficient patient care.
1 comment :
Bill passes out of committee today after Dr. Swift's testimony
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