American Milestones with Joan Lunden, and Electronic Medical Records

Electronic medical records, while not a new idea, may dramatically improve the quality of health care in the United States. The idea, to put all a patient’s medical data, from blood tests, radiology results, hospital stays and lab results to prescriptions and doctor’s notes in one centralized database, could allow physicians and health care providers across the United States to quickly access valuable information about patients, in theory leading to better diagnoses of patients’ ailments and conditions wherever they go for treatment in the U.S. Instead of patients having to recite their full medical histories to each new doctor they see, doctors and other health care providers would be able to read a patient’s medical history electronically, cutting down on miscommunication, time and errors. The television program American Milestones Joan Lunden will look at the potential benefits of electronic medical records, speaking with health care providers across the nation.

By aiding in the distribution of accurate medical information about patients, electronic medical records should help patients and medical professionals nationwide. If a person has an accident or medical emergency while traveling or on vacation in the U.S., the ER doctor would be able to pull up that person’s medical history to learn about preexisting medical conditions, the prescription drugs the person has taken, and other information, leading to fewer misdiagnoses, less adverse outcomes from bad medication combinations and better treatments and prognoses for patients. American Milestones with Joan Lunden reviews electronic medical records, looking at how they will help improve healthcare in America.

American Milestones with Joan Lunden, and the Environment

Many in the business world want to protect the environment, but do not want to sacrifice profits to do so. While doing what’s right for the environment sometimes brings added costs and expenses, a number of companies and industries have found that operating in more eco-friendly ways can bring cost-benefits, and actually help their bottom lines. American Milestones with Joan Lunden, an insightful and enlightening television program that runs on many public TV stations, including several PBS member stations, highlights companies and industries that have achieved a healthy and profitable balance between revenues and environmental responsibility, along with upbeat stories and developments from many other areas of U.S. society.

American Milestones Joan Lunden explores positive trends and happenings across the economy and throughout society. It spotlights ways that consumers and businesses have adopted more responsible habits and practices, including using energy more efficiently, smarter use of water and other resources, and eliminating wasteful habits.

American Milestones showcases stories of innovation, advancement, progress and success throughout the country. It spotlights charities and non-profit organizations that have made a positive impact across the country and around the globe. It also looks at entrepreneurs and companies that have flourished in this tough economy by offering ground-breaking goods or services or using innovative practices and strategies.