EDS rolls out electronic records pilot in Fla. county

EDS Corp. launched a pilot project this month in a section of northern Florida to create an electronic health record for Medicaid beneficiaries.

The goal of the pilot project, which began Nov. 1, is to develop an electronic file for those individuals covered by Medicaid in the Tallahassee-Leon County area using data from medical claim records, the company said.

The electronic record is intended to serve as the foundation for a single individual health record incorporating existing health care files, lab results, X-rays and other key medical information for Medicaid beneficiaries.

Following a detailed review and analysis of the pilot, EDS plans to work with the agency to implement a statewide electronic health records solution.

Electronic health records are used to increase patient safety, reduce medical redundancies and cut health care costs by allowing health care providers to access a patient's medical history.

Leon County, which includes the state capital of Tallahassee, has more than 245,000 residents.

The pilot project is part of an 87-month, $308 million Medicaid system deal that the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration awarded to EDS in May 2006. The system is scheduled to go live next year.

EDS of Plano, Texas, ranks No. 10 on Washington Technology's 2007 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.