Scottsdale, Ariz. -- In line with Governor Napolitano’s plan for increased efficiency in State government, the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants is implementing an automated Board meeting system where meeting materials are stored on CD-Rom and accessed via laptops. The automated system, already designed and used by the Arizona Medical Board, saves the agency that staffs both boards thousands of dollars each year. “It is truly an incredibly simple method for eliminating unnecessary costs,” said Executive Director Barry A. Cassidy, Ph.D., P.A.-C.

When total costs are calculated, the Board estimates an average cost savings of over $100 per Board member, per Board meeting. With 10 members on the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants and 12 members on the Arizona Medical Board, and a combined 11 meetings per year, the automated system saves both boards an estimated $24,000 each year, excluding labor costs. When labor is factored in, the time to duplicate paperbound materials versus CD-Rom materials decreases from almost 2 hours to just 3 minutes. Additionally, the cost to ship 130 pounds of paper materials compared to a CD weighing less than a pound is significantly decreased.

At its meeting on May 14, 2003, the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants will implement its first paperless meeting using laptop computers retrieved from existing agency inventory.