Program Connects Young Patients with Physicians

Kansas City-based Cerner Corp, aprovider of electronic health care records,recently unveiled a $25-millionplan to provide a Web-based systemconnecting all children with type 1diabetes with their physicians free ofcharge. In the works for a decade, theprogram will create personal healthcare records for each child, which canbe accessed by the patient's family andhealth care provider through a secureWeb site. Each record will include glucoselevels, carbohydrates, and insulininjections, reducing clinical visits andpossibly preventing medical problems.

The program does not require physiciansor patients to have any additionalsoftware or equipment other than anInternet connection. Libraries andschool health clinics may be an alternativelocation for households that donot have Internet access.