The MU Student Health Center has converted from paper to electronic records.

Scott Henderson, director of Medical Services at the MU Student Health Center, said the center switched its records in late June.

“(The paper filing system) was used up until June 24 of this year,” Henderson said. “A patient of the Health Center would (formerly) just have a paper record in our office. We have gone to electronic records.”

This transition will allow for more effective communication within the center and takes away from the confusion that paper filing can sometimes cause, Henderson said.

“Electronic records are just more reliable than paper ones,” senior nursing student Katie Gibson said. “It’s really easy to make an appointment. I would much rather go to the Student Health Center than a hospital.”

Switching to an electronic records system was a process that took more than three years from start to finish, Henderson said.

“I came on board three years ago and it was in early discussions before then,” he said. “We started the process in earnest about one year ago.”

The switch will allow the center to more easily share records with the University of Missouri Health System.

“If a student is admitted to the university hospital or seen in a university clinic now, there is the ability for shared information,” Henderson said. “Hopefully, this will lead to better care.”

Henderson said the center deliberately made the transition in the summer, when system glitches would affect fewer students.

“We have been very fortunate that we intentionally planned on going live during summer when fewer students were on campus,” Henderson said. “We have not have any major problems or transition issues.”

Students will now make all prescriptions electronically.

“Records will be immediately available,” Henderson said. “(The new system) will, in the process, have the potential to speed up communications.”

Henderson said electronic records are becoming standard in the health care industry.

“We are using the same system product that the entire university hospital system is using. We were in the timeframe (that was planned out),” Henderson said. “Most student health centers are going through this process. It is an expectation among healthcare providers.”

Students are still advised to set up individual appointments by calling (573)-882-7481.