Michael Ross, a physician and a vice president at PAR3 Communications says "there is a recognition that interceding at the end of a train wreck is too late."

But for the immediate future, the EMR reduces "chart pulls" which in a large practice can take an inordinate amount of time, Lake tells me. It also automates doctor's transcription notes and reduces errors that can be caused by a doctor missing something in a voluminous paper record.

Oh yes, Lake adds, you will probably need some kind of IT department to keep and maintain a system like this.

PAR3 is also partnered with a high tech company that puts a radio chip into a prescription bottle cap.

When your dose is due the cap changes color. When you open the bottle and take your meds it changes back. The cap is wirelessly connected to a night light that monitors the caps and that light connects to a dongle and a modem which gets the information out to the Web and to your doctor or a family member depending on the business rules are established.