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Clinic in line for tech funds
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MONROE - Senator Herb Kohl, D-Wisconsin, included $300,000 for the Monroe Clinic in an appropriations bill.

The money will be used to help the clinic upgrade its information technology and implement an electronic medical records system.

Kohl identified the project as a priority for funding.

"These funds will help Monroe Clinic enhance its services by helping the facility to complete the transition to keeping patients' records in an easier to access, more efficient electronic format," Kohl said.

In 2003 Monroe Clinic committed itself to technology improvements including changing from a paper-based system to an electronic medical records system to improve patient care and efficiency.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mark Thompson said the funds would help the clinic with its Rural Health Technology initiative, part of the clinic's effort to improve technical equipment such as digital mammograms and MRI systems.

"They certainly will benefit the clinic," Thompson said.

By using technology, Thompson said, the clinic will be able to reduce patients' frequency of visits.

Rohit Mahajan, press secretary to Kohl, said the appropriations bill will be voted on later this year. The House and Senate will have to pass versions of the bill with negotiations take place to produce the final bill.

Mahajan said the funding is available and it's "very likely" the money will be included in the final bill.