White River Medical Center earned the distinction of being among the most technologically-advanced hospitals in the country by being recognized as one of the nation’s 25 Most Wired-Small and Rural hospitals by the American Hospital Association. WRMC was the only hospital in Arkansas to win this award. Every year, Hospitals and Health Networks, a journal of the American Hospital Association, recognizes the Most Wired hospitals by conducting a voluntary survey, which recognizes hospitals that have made the greatest progress in adapting and implementing new technologies.
This year’s Most Wired Survey was a result of two years of redesign. The new survey measures information technology adoption, implementation and use, and includes new and revised questions based on the meaningful use definition, or a series of final rules that will help hospitals apply new technology in the next five years. The survey recognizes hospitals that have made great strides in improving their technology by upgrading or implementing new technological advancements. Hospitals that are recognized for their achievements are then placed in one of four categories: Most Wired, Most Wired—Small and Rural, Most Improved, and Most Wireless. Only 150 of about 1300 hospitals were recognized for their part in the initiative.
WRMC was recognized for their role in implementing Electronic Medical Record (EMR). EMR is an electronic data management system that contains the comprehensive medical history of the patient and the patient’s clinical information provided within a healthcare system. EMR improves patient care by providing care givers with the information needed to make the best decisions. It increases efficiency and improves patient outcomes.
“We began the process of moving our organization to a paperless environment in 2006,” said Frank Hilbert, Chief Information Officer. “We knew it would be a long process, but we also knew it was essential to improve the quality of the patient experience.”
Utilizing this technology creates a more efficient process allowing staff to spend more time at the patients’ bedside. Physicians and other healthcare providers also have access to medication information and best practices for clinical decision making that improve patient outcomes and reduce potential for medication errors. Physicians have more accurate information, reducing the need for unnecessary tests, which, in turn, leads to a shorter hospital stay for the patient.
WRMC plans to reach full implementation of EMR by 2011.
Fewer than 10% of hospitals throughout the nation have fully implemented EMRs and Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE). The Federal Government is requiring hospitals and physicians to implement EMRs by 2015 and is helping by making Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments available to help offset the cost of compliance. Providers that do not have EMRs implemented by 2015 will face reduced Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements.
Although transitioning to EMR is a long process, WRMC is still years ahead of many hospitals that have yet to start to process.
This year's survey was conducted in cooperation with the American Hospital Association, McKesson Corp. and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives.
Posted: August, 27 2010