HHC's electronic diabetes registry, first used at Queens and Elmhurst Hospital Centers over the last two years, has had a powerful impact on disease management. This Web-based tool, which uses information from HHC's advanced electronic medical records data, provides a real-time “snapshot” of ongoing patient care-blood sugar levels, medications prescribed, even data about necessary eye tests and foot exams. The information enables doctors to provide more specific, evidence-based treatment, resulting in better-controlled blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. This, in turn, reduces the risk of such severe complications as heart trouble, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations.

At the close of the Queens pilot program, nearly half of the 9,000 registered patients were able to achieve healthy blood sugar levels, more than twice the rate in previous years. This year, HHC expanded the database to all 11 hospitals, with more than 95% of adult diabetic patients currently enrolled.

Computerized medical records technology is also used to implement new electronic asthma action plans, designed to keep New York City pediatric asthma patients out of emergency rooms and hospital beds. HHC health care professionals use electronic medical records to create self-management "contracts" that include detailed instructions about use of prescribed medication, use of flow meters, and strategies to avoid asthma triggers. Early results are positive: 2,000 fewer asthma-related pediatric emergency room visits and at least 600 fewer hospital admissions in FY 2006.

The same system is also helping HHC doctors to screen and diagnose depression more readily and support the Corporation's goal to make depression screening part of routine medical care for all patients. By accessing an electronic diagnostic survey tool available in the electronic medical records, HHC doctors are first targeting patients with chronic illnesses who tend to suffer from higher rates of depression. Research shows that treating underlying depression is often a key first step toward successful patient self-management of other diseases and influences the rate of recovery.