The state Department of Health now has electronic medical-record systems in its public-health offices.

The move is part of Gov. Bill Richardson's telehealth and health-information initiatives. He's hoping the Legislature will agree to a similar system for the private medical sector and will push for that in the upcoming special session of the Legislature.

Concerns about cost and privacy of an electronic system bogged the idea down during this year's regular session.

Still, Department of Health officials say the program allows doctors to spend more time on patient care. Since September, the department has cared for 19,680 patients and logged 120,524 procedures with the new technology, according to a news release from the department.

"This is an important step toward improving accuracy and safety in patient care," Secretary Alfredo Vigil said in a statement. "We should serve as a role model in furthering the governor's goal of creating an electronic medical-record system in New Mexico."

The department in 2005 received $750,000 to implement the electronic system. In addition, the department was given a grant of about $900,000 to help private practices with the costs of starting similar systems.

The electronically available information helps doctors in different parts of the state access the same patient information.

Already, 122 physicians in the state are setting up electronic record systems, the Department of Health said.

The records helped improve the quality of clinical decisions in 82 percent of cases where they were used, according to a U.S. Health and Human Services Department national survey.

The New Mexico Medical Society is backing the proposal.

"We feel electronic medical records are an essential ingredient improving the quality and efficiency of the delivery of medical care," Dan Derksen, the society's president, said in a statement.

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog, Green Chile Chatter, at www.santafenewmexican.com.