CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. – U.S. Representative John R. “Randy” Kuhl, Jr. (R-Hammondsport) today secured $200,000 to help fund the Thompson Health information technology strategic plan. The earmark is contained in the FY 2007 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill that passed the House Appropriations Committee last week. “Thompson Health is one of the premier care providers in Western New York, but technology is ever changing and very expensive,” said Rep. Kuhl. “These funds will help keep Thompson Health at the forefront of providing access to high quality care to the people of Ontario County and the surrounding area,” said Rep. Kuhl. “We are so pleased by the news of this earmark to support our information technology initiatives at Thompson Health,” said Linda Janczak, President/CEO, Thompson Health. “Congressman Kuhl recognizes the importance of efficient and effective information technology within community healthcare, and we are very grateful he has been able to help us expand our capabilities. Medical information technology is a national and state priority, and Congressman Kuhl has helped to ensure that Thompson stays ahead of the curve. He is a strong friend to Thompson Health and this community.” The information technology projects sought by Thompson Health will enhance the integration of clinical information by reducing duplication and increasing the connectivity among health providers. The goal is to develop an electronic medical record (EMR) system that will increase patient safety by ensuring a person’s health care information is available across the continuum of the Thompson Health integrated health care system for every patient’s caregiver and provider. All diagnostic test results and reports, physician’s notes, orders, pharmacy, nursing and ancillary documentation, medication administration records, and patient demographics would follow him or her from doctor to doctor at all times. Costly mistakes sometimes caused by missing paper information would be eliminated.