Paper Reduction

Stony Brook University Medical Center (SBUMC) is the first hospital on Long Island to have an integrated electronic medical record system with such a high degree of technological sophistication. Using Computer Physician Order Entry (CPOE), orders are now communicated electronically, immediately, in legible formats, which are screened automatically for potential patient problems ; standardized order sets help ensure consistent levels of care; and medication administration is standardized.

In an effort to become more eco-friendly and to cut costs, the Stony Brook University Medical Center Employee Newsletter, Lifelines is no longer mailed directly to employees but will be available online. A limited number of copies will be available at the Market Place Café, Starbucks, Skyline Deli, Ambulatory Surgery Center, Cancer Center, or at Tech Park at Chock Full o’Nuts Café.

The Anatomic Pathology section of the Department of Laboratories has stopped printing hard copies of Pathology reports for filing saving about 34,500 pages/year with cost savings in paper purchasing of $287 and approximately $500 in microfilming.

The Emergency Department no longer prints paper requisitions for tests performed in the clinical laboratory saving 273,750 sheets of paper or 2,738 pounds of paper/year.