PETERSBURG, Alaska — Improved patient service will be the payoff of a new electronic health record system at Petersburg Medical Center.

KFSK reports (http://is.gd/2lcj4L) staff members at the hospital are becoming familiar with the $1.4 million system.

The center's CEO, Liz Woodyard, says the new computer system is a big change for everyone.

The system came from Mobile, Ala.-based Computer Programming Systems Inc. About 35 team members have been in Petersburg for the past two weeks working with staff on installation. The final phase for the installation project is scheduled early next month.

The federal government will cover about half of the cost for the new system. The borough may seek funding from the Legislature to cover the other half.

Information from: KFSK-FM, http://www.alaska.net/~kfsk/