South Mississippi Urgent Care Takes Steps to Ensure Patient Records are Secure With New EMR

PracticeIT, a physician-centric healthcare IT company specializing in electronic medical records (EMR) and handheld diagnostic devices, has partnered with South Mississippi Urgent Care (SMUC) to implement a new EMR system which will help the clinics better serve patients in hurricane season as well as their future health care needs.

"It is such a relief to know that we have PracticeIT's EMR especially since we live on the Gulf Coast. If we have a catastrophic event, such as Hurricane Katrina, our patient's records are protected," said Ronnie Ali, DO, head physician of SMUC. "I think it's important for the people of this region to have the assurance that their medical records are safe no matter what happens."

After Hurricane Katrina destroyed over 100 healthcare centers and almost 1 million patient medical records , Dr. Ali saw the need for medical care in the community and felt that it was his duty to help his fellow neighbors on the Gulf Coast. One of the first steps Dr. Ali took was to implement PracticeIT's electronic medical records to improve SMUC services, which gives him immediate access to critical patient information - drug allergies, current medications, medical history - in order to treat patients faster and more safely in the event of a disaster.

In addition to preparing the clinics for catastrophic events, PracticeIT's EMR system helps SMUC keep more accurate records for billing and documentation. It also links the clinics together, making it easy for patients to seek care at different locations. "Our goal was to create a customized solution for the clinics while lessening the hassle and wait time for patients seeking immediate care," said Bob Teague, CEO of PracticeIT.

PracticeIT's unmatched Physician Services department aims to make physician's lives easier by working with them every step of the way. "It seemed like such a leap to go from paper to electronic but PracticeIT made the conversion so smooth that we really didn't realize how easy it would be," said Dr. Ali. "Their personal service has improved every aspect of our practice and in turn, improves the service that we render to patients."

SMUC currently has two locations and plans on opening two more this year. The next clinic will open in the Edgewater Village in Biloxi, MS, in October 2007. The clinic sees approximately 20-30 patients a day and is the first medical facility to adopt an EMR system in the region after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005.

For more information on PracticeIT's work with SMUC, its electronic medical records or other products please visit

South Mississippi Urgent Care Takes Steps to Ensure Patient Records are Secure With New EMR

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South Mississippi Urgent Care Takes Steps to Ensure Patient Records are Secure With New EMR

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