Union leading American hospitals toward the electronic medical record
In recognition of Union Hospital’s leadership in moving toward 21st century electronic communications, Hospitals and Health Networks magazine has again named Union as one of the 25 “Most Wired” hospitals in the nation in the small and rural hospital category.
“Winning this award two years in a row demonstrates that we’re out ahead of most hospitals in the U.S.” according to Dave Baumgardner, director of information systems at Union Hospital. “We’ve made a lot of progress moving Union Hospital’s technology into the 21st century and this national recognition is evidence of our progress.”
In recent years Union Hospital has been converting from a paper system to an electronic system of ordering, reporting, and recording patient care information. Baumgardner said the goal of this process is to improve clinical care quality, patient safety, and the overall patient experience.
One of the most significant changes is computerized provider order entry, or CPOE. Physicians have traditionally provided handwritten orders for patient care, or ordered them verbally. Using CPOE, the doctor will enter the patient care orders directly into the electronic medical record. The goal is to reduce medication errors, reduce variations in care, improve efficiency, and help physicians implement best practices. CPOE will be adopted in the hospital’s emergency department in 2012 and then in the inpatient units in 2013.
Moving toward “most wired” status is also evident on the Union Hospital website. Patients may now view their hospital charges and make payments online.
“Within the next several years the hospital website will also enable patients to view their scheduled hospital appointments online, obtain their test reports, and access their medical records,” Baumgardner said. “On a broader scale, the secure Regional Health Information Exchange will make the patient’s medical records accessible to other hospitals where they are being treated, so the proper care can be provided more quickly.”
Baumgardner credits the hard work of employees in all hospital departments, the staff of the information systems department, and the UH physicians who are working together to lead the complex transition from paper to electronic systems.
Hospitals & Health Networks magazine is published by the American Hospital Association. The Most Wired program annually surveys the status of hospitals and names its “Most Wired” award winners that lead their peers in four areas: Business and Administrative Management, Clinical Quality and Safety, Care Continuum, and Infrastructure.
“Winning this award two years in a row demonstrates that we’re out ahead of most hospitals in the U.S.” according to Dave Baumgardner, director of information systems at Union Hospital. “We’ve made a lot of progress moving Union Hospital’s technology into the 21st century and this national recognition is evidence of our progress.”
In recent years Union Hospital has been converting from a paper system to an electronic system of ordering, reporting, and recording patient care information. Baumgardner said the goal of this process is to improve clinical care quality, patient safety, and the overall patient experience.
One of the most significant changes is computerized provider order entry, or CPOE. Physicians have traditionally provided handwritten orders for patient care, or ordered them verbally. Using CPOE, the doctor will enter the patient care orders directly into the electronic medical record. The goal is to reduce medication errors, reduce variations in care, improve efficiency, and help physicians implement best practices. CPOE will be adopted in the hospital’s emergency department in 2012 and then in the inpatient units in 2013.
Moving toward “most wired” status is also evident on the Union Hospital website. Patients may now view their hospital charges and make payments online.
“Within the next several years the hospital website will also enable patients to view their scheduled hospital appointments online, obtain their test reports, and access their medical records,” Baumgardner said. “On a broader scale, the secure Regional Health Information Exchange will make the patient’s medical records accessible to other hospitals where they are being treated, so the proper care can be provided more quickly.”
Baumgardner credits the hard work of employees in all hospital departments, the staff of the information systems department, and the UH physicians who are working together to lead the complex transition from paper to electronic systems.
Hospitals & Health Networks magazine is published by the American Hospital Association. The Most Wired program annually surveys the status of hospitals and names its “Most Wired” award winners that lead their peers in four areas: Business and Administrative Management, Clinical Quality and Safety, Care Continuum, and Infrastructure.
Published: September 27, 2011
