Farmington, Maine – Wilson Stream Family Practice is getting used to firsts. They were among the first independent physicians in Maine to write electronic prescriptions called e-prescribing. They were the first small independent practice in Maine to use Maine’s health information exchange, HealthInfoNet. And the providers at Wilson Stream are the first of 1,000 enrolled with the Maine Regional Extension Center to receive recognition from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for achievement of meaningful use.
Leaders from Maine’s health care community celebrated the achievements of Wilson Stream Family Practice in a “MUver” ceremony held January 11th at the practice in Farmington, Maine. Also in attendance were representatives from Maine’s Congressional Delegation and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
“According to the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC), Wilson Stream is one of only 4% of the 100,000 providers enrolled across the country to reach this milestone,” said Todd Rogow, Director of IT and the MEREC at HealthInfoNet. “Wilson Stream is truly leading the way in the movement towards electronic record keeping.”
The Maine Regional Extension Center (MEREC), operated by HealthInfoNet, organized the ceremony to recognize Wilson Stream for their leadership in adoption and use of health information technology to improve patient care. The practice recently implemented an electronic health record (EHR) offered by athenahealth, which has offices in Belfast, Maine. Wilson Stream then enrolled with the MEREC to enhance its use of the new EHR to meet federal “meaningful use” measures meant to improve practice efficiency and patient care quality.
“With the EHR in place, I’m able to respond to my patients needs quicker, and using HealthInfoNet’s statewide system I can follow their care if I send them to the hospital.” said Dr. Steve Bien, co-founder of Wilson Stream Family Practice. “With all their medical information organized in one place, I’m more prepared when I walk into the exam room. This helps me spend more time focusing on my patients needs instead of chasing paperwork.”
Photo: The staff of Wilson Stream Family Practice gathered to celebrate in their waiting room in Farmington after the event.
About Wilson Stream Family Practice
Wilson Stream Family Practice is a small, independent family medicine practice located in Farmington, Maine. The practice employs 7 people, who together provide personal patient-centered care for close to 2000 patients. The practice was started by Drs. Steve Bien and Jeff Fuson and has been serving patients in Farmington since 1982. Watch this short video to learn more about the benefits Wilson Stream has seen in moving to electronic record keeping.