I Had More Time with My Father

Heidi Sitcov, R.N., is a nurse, but her most important recent interaction with the health care system was as a family member. She came home to Buffalo, NY, to visit her family when her 85-year-old father was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. She immediately sought out a doctor with an EHR to lead her father’s care. Here is Ms. Sitcov’s story.

My dad had been complaining of vague abdominal discomfort, unusual fatigue, and was not feeling like himself the previous year. He kept going to his internist’s group, often seeing different doctors, and getting different treatments and diagnoses each time. While a malignant tumor was growing, all my dad was given over the course of that year were iron pills, stool softeners, B12 shots, and pain pills. Everyone in the practice had their own idea of what was wrong, as each doctor could only see the previous doctor’s notes; that is, if the secretary could find the chart.

An EHR Helps Manage Cancer Treatment

After finally being diagnosed with advanced cancer, my dad was discharged home with a referral to a hospice. I advised him to immediately switch doctors and find someone that used an integrated EHR system where his diagnoses, treatments, and plans of care would be available for all his doctors to see.

The immediate availability of his medical records among all his specialists allowed for better treatment and outstanding coordination of care. My parents were able to review test results very quickly via email or by checking my dad’s online chart. They also received an after-visit summary of every check-up that allowed them to easily relay accurate information. E-prescribing prevented errors and allowed for drug interactions to immediately be tracked and flagged, if necessary. And, most importantly, the EHR system ended redundant testing and procedures due to lack of chart coordination. Most importantly, this system allowed my dad to feel that the doctors really “knew him.”

The Gift of Four More Years

The EHR system benefited my father and my family up until his last days. During my dad’s final weeks, the hospice had clearly documented records that provided a complete summary of my dad’s medical problems.

My dad died peacefully and pain free at inpatient hospice July 11, 2010, with his family at his side. He said he was ready to go, and he felt he received the best care possible. The EHR system gave him nearly four more years, and I am at peace knowing that under the worst of circumstances, my dad received the best care possible.