Bangor, ME — Eastern Maine Medical Center and Acadia Hospital, both affiliates of EMHS, are among the 100 Most Wired Hospitals in the country, according to Hospitals & Health Networks magazine, the flagship publication of the American Hospital Association.
“We’re being recognized because we’re using information technology to improve the health of our community. Because information is at the fingertips of physicians and nurses at exactly the moment they need it, they can give care that keeps patients healthier. For example with patients with chronic illnesses, care managers can use current health status information to spot problems early and make treatment adjustments that keep patients out of the hospital. It’s better care, it’s better quality of life, and it’s lower cost,” explains Howard Margolskee, MD, interim chief medical information officer for EMMC.
Some of the technologies implemented by EMMC to benefit patients include:
- Computerized provider order entry and documentation
- Medication reconciliation
- Bar coded medication administration
- Robust analytics (reporting from electronic medical records)
- Critical Care Connection (Telemedicine program)
- Clinical decision support and protocols (e.g. order sets, rules, and alerts)
“We have focused on overcoming the challenges of integrating physical health and behavioral health through the use of technology as we work to help improve the lives of our patients,” adds Deborah Sanford, RN, MS, MBA, vice president of patient care services and performance improvement at Acadia Hospital.
The Hospitals & Health Networks magazine survey focuses on how hospitals use information technologies for quality, customer service, public health and safety, business processes and workforce issues. This year, the survey also focused on how hospitals are expanding and improving the way they connect with patients, families, and the community, placing emphasis on social media use. The complete list of Hospitals & Health Networks’ 100 Most Wired Hospitals can be found in the magazine’s July issue, or online at hhnmostwired.com.